United Nations S/ PV.7847

Security Council Provisional Seventy-first year

7847th meeting Tuesday, 20 December 2016, 10 a.m. New York

President: Mr. Rajoy Brey/González de Linares Palou ...... (Spain)

Members: Angola...... Mr. Martins China...... Mr. Wu Haitao Egypt...... Mr. Aboulatta France ...... Mr. Delattre Japan...... Mr. Bessho Malaysia ...... Mr. Ibrahim New Zealand...... Mr. Van Bohemen Russian Federation...... Mr. Churkin Senegal ...... Mr. Ciss Ukraine...... Mr. Kyslytsya United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland . . Mr. Stewart United States of America...... Ms. Mendelson Uruguay...... Mr. Bermúdez Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) ...... Mr. Ramírez Carreño

Agenda Maintenance of international peace and security Trafficking in persons in conflict situations Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of measures to counter trafficking in persons (S/2016/949) Letter dated 2 December 2016 from the Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (S/2016/1031)

This record contains the text of speeches delivered in English and of the translation of speeches delivered in other languages. The final text will be printed in the Official Records of the Security Council. Corrections should be submitted to the original languages only. They should be incorporated in a copy of the record and sent under the signature of a member of the delegation concerned to the Chief of the Verbatim Reporting Service, room U-0506 ([email protected]). Corrected records will be reissued electronically on the Official Document System of the United Nations (http://documents.un.org).

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The meeting was called to order at 10.10 a.m. Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Terrorist acts Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey and Uganda The President (spoke in Spanish): Sadly, we must once again open a meeting by reiterating our firmest to participate in this meeting. condemnation of the cruel terrorist attacks that have In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s occurred in recent days, adding to the painfully long provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following list of such attacks. On Sunday, terrorist attacks were briefers to participate in this meeting: Mr. Yury Fedotov, carried out in Aden and Karak, Jordan, followed Executive Director of the United Nations Office on yesterday by attacks in Berlin and Ankara, the latter Drugs and Crime; Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special against His Excellency Mr. Andrey Karlov, Ambassador Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual of the Russian Federation to Turkey. I offer our sincere Violence in Conflict; Ms. Ameena Saeed Hasan, civilian condolences to the families of the victims and wish the activist for Yazidi women’s rights; Ms. Nadia Murad injured a speedy recovery. Basee Taha, Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of In demonstration of the pain we share with all the Survivors of Human Trafficking and recent Vaclav victims of terrorism and our firm rejection of these Havel Prize and Sakharov Prize winner; Mr. Ashraf cowardly terrorist attacks, I would now ask Council Nour, Director of the International Organization for members to rise and observe a minute of silence. Migration Office to the United Nations; His Excellency Mr. Gonzalo Koncke, Permanent Observer of the The members of the Council observed a minute Organization of American States to the United Nations; of silence. and Mr. Emmanuel Roux, Special Representative, Office of the International Criminal Police Organization. Adoption of the agenda In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s The agenda was adopted. provisional rules of procedure, I invite Ms. Myria Vassiliadou, Anti-Trafficking Coordinator of the Maintenance of international peace and security European Union, to participate in this meeting. Trafficking in persons in conflict situations I propose that the Council invite the Permanent Report of the Secretary-General on the Observer of the Observer State of the Holy See to implementation of measures to counter the United Nations to participate in this meeting, in trafficking in persons (S/2016/949) accordance with the provisional rules of procedure and Letter dated 2 December 2016 from the previous practice in this regard. the Permanent Representative of Spain There being no objection, it is so decided. to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General (S/2016/1031) The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. The President (spoke in Spanish): I wish to warmly welcome the Secretary-General, Ministers and other I wish to draw the attention of Council members to distinguished representatives present in the Security document S/2016/949, which contains the report of the Council Chamber. Their presence today underscores Secretary-General on the implementation of measures the importance of the subject matter under discussion. to counter trafficking in persons. I wish to also draw the attention of Council members to document S/2016/1031, In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s which contains a letter dated 2 December 2016 from the provisional rules of procedure, I invite the Permanent Representative of Spain to the United Nations representatives of Argentina, Australia, Austria, addressed to the Secretary-General, transmitting a Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, concept paper on the item under consideration. Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Eritrea, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, India, I wish to warmly welcome the Secretary-General, Indonesia, Ireland, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Israel, His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, to whom I now give Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the floor.

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The Secretary-General: I thank the Spanish multidisciplinary law-enforcement units or specialized presidency of the Council. led by His Excellency prosecutors’ offices to address this threat. Mr. Rajoy Brey, for convening this important meeting. Some States have successfully suppressed I come with a plea for Member States to take steps to trafficking syndicates by targeting money-laundering help victims of trafficking today and prevent further and criminal proceeds. We should step up this action. cases in the future. That means attention to immediate Governments have to respond, especially when their crimes and underlying causes. own nationals are involved. Trafficking is a global problem, but the most I call on all States to investigate and prosecute such vulnerable people are those caught in conflict: women, cases, including those in which their own nationals children, internally displaced persons and refugees. commit this crime abroad. All perpetrators must be War provides oxygen to terrorist groups. It gives them space to flourish. the Islamic State in Iraq and the brought to justice. Levant (ISIL), Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab and others The problem of trafficking is international in are using trafficking and sexual violence as weapons nature, and only an international response can succeed. of terror and an important source of revenue. Both The United Nations is bringing together Governments, ISIL and Boko Haram have engaged in the sexual other organizations and civil-society groups. I call for enslavement of women and girls through trafficking. increased support to United Nations entities that are Yazidi girls captured in Iraq are trafficked into Syria confronting the problem of trafficking. and sold in open slave markets as if they were things, not people. I encourage contributions to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Before the conflict in Syria began, there were few, Persons, Especially Women and Children, and the if any, human trafficking victims from that country. United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Now, victims from Syria — along with Iraq, Somalia Forms of Slavery. These initiatives are helping victims and other conflict-torn countries — are found in to heal and become agents of change. Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Traumatized Syrian refugee children are being forced to work. Instead of The second front is human rights and stability. If studying and playing, they are sewing clothes, serving conflict gives oxygen to traffickers, human rights and food and selling items on the street. We have to fight stability suffocate them. That is why it is so important to trafficking for the sake of the victims When we do, advance the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development we will also decrease funding for terrorists and make and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The 2030 everyone safer. We need action on two fronts. Agenda promises a life of dignity for all people and focuses on helping the farthest behind first. To fulfil The first is justice and accountability. These are this promise, we have to stand for the human rights of heinous crimes that demand immediate international all victims and vulnerable people. action. International law needs to be respected and implemented. The United Nations is actively engaged I call for all countries to ratify all international in preventing sexual exploitation and abuse perpetrated human rights, refugee, labour rights and by peacekeepers. States must also train peacekeepers crime-prevention conventions, and to put efforts into and others to respond to trafficking in persons and their effective implementation. prevent sexual exploitation and abuse. We should The majority of trafficking victims are women intensify training on preventing trafficking in persons and girls. Our response must include special attention as well as sexual exploitation and abuse. to their rights. States must adopt gender-sensitive and The United Nations Convention against rights-based migration policies. We need strategic Transnational Organized Crime is a vital tool. I leadership in ending war and also in preventing call on all States that are not party to its Protocol on conflicts and sustaining peace. That is why I have trafficking in persons to join right away. I also urge strengthened the commitment of the United Nations countries to adopt dedicated anti-trafficking laws and to supporting Member States in early action and in national action plans. States should consider creating preventive diplomacy.

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As this may be my last speech to the Council, let there is no single measure, no one step in any given part me emphasize once again that prevention should be at of the world that can address this problem alone. the forefront. I welcome my successor’s focus on this The building blocks we need can be found in the very important priority. Let us work together to help United Nations Convention against Transnational today’s victims of trafficking while creating a more Organized Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress stable and just world for all. and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women I thank you, Mr. President, for your leadership and Children. This international treaty, concluded and commitment. more than a decade ago, is still young, but some 158 countries have now criminalized most forms of human The President (spoke in Spanish): I thank the trafficking in their domestic laws, in line with the Secretary-General for his statement. Protocol. It is true that the full implementation of the I now call on Mr. Fedotov. Protocol’s provisions has yet to be achieved. However, the Palermo Convention and the Protocol could serve as Mr. Fedotov: Several tragedies took place a platform for a vast collective response to many of the yesterday: the cowardly assassination of the Russian challenges raised by today’s debate. Ambassador to Turkey and the despicable terrorist attack in Berlin. May I express, on behalf of the United What we really need is to strengthen existing Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), my frameworks, which represent a solid foundation of deepest condolences to the Governments of the Russian international law and years of painstaking operational Federation and Germany and to the families of the cooperation that we can build upon to act against victims. As the UNODC mandate includes counter- modern-day slave traders, including in situations of conflict and wherever we find such activities terrorism, we stand ready to increase our support to taking place. Member States to strengthen international solidarity and cooperation in fighting the scourge of terrorism The report of the Secretary-General (S/2016/949) and hatred. details the efforts of the United Nations system to support Member States in improving the implementation Turning to the agenda item under consideration, of this international law instrument. allow me to begin by expressing my gratitude to the Security Council for its attention to this urgent issue. Tomorrow UNODC will present its 2016 Global Indeed, this is a historic meeting of the Security Report on Trafficking in Persons, which it is mandated Council, as the Council is set to adopt, for the first time to do by the General Assembly and which provides in its history, an action-oriented resolution dedicated to a snapshot of the state of national responses to the human trafficking. I would also like to thank UNODC challenges of human trafficking. The report, based Goodwill Ambassador Nadia Murad for helping to raise on reliable data and information provided by Member awareness of the plight of trafficking victims. States, establishes that an increasing number of trafficking victims from conflict-affected countries Thanks to these efforts, heightened attention is such as Syria, Iraq and Somalia have been detected being given to the problem of human trafficking in in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. The report also conflict and mass movements of refugees and migrants, features a thematic chapter on the connections between where we have seen this terrible crime acquire ever conflict, migration and trafficking. I hope that all more appalling dimensions. present will join us tomorrow at the launch. In seeking to strengthen international responses, we Looking ahead, I would like to highlight the urgent must keep in sharp focus the fact that human trafficking need for countries to improve identification and referral is pervasive. It is transnational, and its victims are processes tailored to the challenges of conflict zones everywhere. Trafficking victims have been detected in and mass movements. 106 countries and territories around the world. UNODC is helping countries to enhance the Building effective action thus requires a strong identification and protection of trafficking victims framework of international cooperation and shared among refugees and displaced persons fleeing conflict responsibility. I deliberately use the word “build”, as in the Middle East and Africa, and we hope to expand

4/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 this work in future. At the same time, strategic law- internally and across borders in the pursuit of profit. enforcement action must target upstream organized In the Chamber, we often hear accounts of survivors criminals through intelligence-sharing, joint operations, of wartime atrocity. The stories of those brave enough financial investigations and coordination within and to bear witness — including the statements of the across borders. trafficking survivors here today — are vital to our work. But allow me to also take this opportunity to cast The full arsenal of tools that we have to disrupt a searchlight on the perpetrators — on those whose organized crime networks and terrorist groups and to deeds are often hidden by the so- called fog of war. fight money laundering and counter-terrorism financing must be deployed. Criminals exploit weakness. Gaps One such individual is Emir Abu Malek. He is in our responses abet impunity and leave defenceless responsible for trafficking women and girls from Iraq people exposed. UNODC is committed to doing our to Syria, dividing them up among his friends as the part to support the Security Council, to integrate spoils of war. According to information obtained by action against human trafficking, to promote justice my Office, this man issued instructions about where and accountability, and to protect the victimized they should be transferred, to whom they should be and vulnerable. given, and what his brothers in arms should do to these girls. On one occasion, he ordered that a group of 15 The President (spoke in Spanish): I thank girls, aged 9- and 10-years old, be transferred to Raqqa Mr. Fedotov for his briefing. and Mosul to be raped for half a day, and then sold I now give the floor to Ms. Bangura. on further. Ms. Bangura: I join my colleagues in extending Another individual is Emir Abu Ali. He implemented my sympathy to the Russian Federation for the the so-called fatwa issued by Da’esh in April 2015, assassination of the Russian Ambassador in Turkey. ordering the separation of children from their mothers. The aim was to enable children to be indoctrinated in I thank you, Sir, for the opportunity to add my the Madrassa Jihadia and their mothers to be sold into voice to this critical and timely debate on human sexual slavery. trafficking in situations of conflict. I would like to start by extending my thanks and congratulations to Spain There is also the Sheikh in Raqqa who wrote his for convening this meeting today, and for its leadership name on the palm of a Yazidi girl during the purchasing every day as a tireless champion of the women, peace process to brand her as his property. There is the militant and security agenda during its tenure on the Council in Mosul responsible for buying and selling girls along and beyond. with guns and rocket-propelled grenades. There is the head of a police station in Raqqa who used his Over the past four years, during which I have served position to facilitate human trafficking. And there are as Special Representative of the Secretary-General women like Umm Sayyaf, who helped to enforce sexual on Sexual Violence in Conflict, we have witnessed a slavery, and Doctor Nawal, who carried out virginity deep and enduring shift in the treatment of this issue tests and forced abortions at the behest of Da’esh, even as a peace and security imperative. This unprecedented injecting young girls with hormones to accelerate their political momentum has translated into the adoption maturation and readiness for sale into sexual slavery. of zero-tolerance policies for national armed and security forces; frameworks of cooperation and joint There are many more like them — too many communiqués signed by Governments, signalling to name — operating with absolute impunity. their commitment to act at the highest level — most These ongoing atrocities are motivated as much by recently, by the Government of Iraq; and landmark commercial as by ideological concerns. They are not convictions for sexual violence as a war crime and isolated incidents. Simply stated, women and children a crime against humanity, including at the level of have become part of the currency by which Da’esh command responsibility. consolidates its power. This blood money is then used to bankroll its actions and cement its authority. Yet, as we take stock of this progress, we are also forced to confront new and previously unforeseen Though it is largely invisible and difficult to threats. These include the use of sexual violence as a quantify, the blood money of women and children has tactic of terrorism by groups that traffic their victims become part of the lifeblood that sustains that group. It

16-45113 5/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 is part of the financial calculus made by Da’esh fighters smuggling and trafficking in antiquities, while ignoring that they will be able to supplement their salaries of a people smuggling and the trafficking of human beings. few hundred dollars a month with potentially tens of As extremist groups evolve, their sources of financing thousands of dollars raised through the sale and traffic become increasingly sophisticated and diversified. The of women and children. Unlike oil and antiquities, to result is a growing convergence between terrorism, which only top commanders have access, all militants trafficking and transnational organized crime. are able to exploit local women and children to boost To meet these evolving threats, our policies must their personal economies. also evolve. In this regard, applying a women, peace In fact, a range of extremist groups are using and security perspective, or a gender lens, can be truly sexual violence to advance their military, political, transformative. Seen through this lens, sexual violence economic and ideological aims My Office has begun to represents the very front line in our battle against monitor this trend through the reports of the Secretary- violent extremism, because it is a battle being waged General on conflict-related sexual violence, which we on and over the bodies of women and girls. To disrupt compile each year. These reports include an annexed human trafficking is to help disrupt the business of list of parties credibly suspected of committing or terrorism. This is critical, because when stripped of the being responsible for patterns of sexual violence in veneer of politics and the mystique of religion, we see situations on the Council’s agenda. Of the 48 parties that the business of terrorism is business. It is profitable listed, 37 are non-State actors. Seven are designated as crime under the cover of war. Although there is no terrorist groups. These include Da’esh, Ansar Eddine, internationally agreed definition of terrorism, current the Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, Al-Shabaab, the dynamics and realities on the ground have prompted Al-Nusra Front, the Mouvement pour l’unicité et le many to ask: “When is sexual violence a tactic of jihad en Afrique de l’Ouest, and Boko Haram. Such terrorism?” To foster conceptual clarity, my Office has groups invariably restrict women’s rights, autonomy identified six key dimensions. and freedoms through their reign of terror. Indeed, the same litany of horrors echoes across the accounts of The first is when it is committed by violent Nigerian girls who have fled the grip of Boko Haram, extremists and terrorist groups in a systematic manner Somali women liberated from Al-Shabaab, and women that is integral to the operation. in northern Mali who languish in the shadow of Ansar The second is when it is deliberately used to spread Eddine terror inculcate fear and create an atmosphere of The use of sexual violence as a tactic to strike insecurity in order to intimidate and suppress opposition, fear into the heart of the civilian population is not a including as a form of collective punishment. new phenomenon; neither are the commodification, The third is when it is used to finance and sustain trafficking and exploitation of women and girls. But the the activities of terrorist groups or as part of the systems combination of the evils that we are witnessing today of punishment and rewards through which they control seems unprecedented in its scope and brazen brutality. behaviour, and includes the gifting of women and girls Crimes of sexual violence have historically been as a form of in-kind compensation for fighters and the dismissed as random, opportunistic acts. They have leveraging of the threat of sexual violence to extort been part of the larger silence surrounding women’s ransoms from the families of those abducted. experience of war, linked to gender-based discrimination and exclusion from security institutions. It is therefore The fourth is when it is used to target political, unsurprising that the crime of terrorism has never been ethnic or religious groups as a form of prosecution. viewed through the eyes of its female victims. Attacking women as symbolic bearers of cultural identity to shred the social fabric and unravel kinship Recognizing sexual violence as a tactic of terrorism ties. That tactic may be linked with forced displacement demands that we rethink our response. For instance, and population flight. we cannot deplore the public face of terrorism — the bombing, killing and property destruction — while The fifth is when it advances a strategy to ignoring the violence terrorists inflict on women and radicalize, recruit, retain or reward fighters — often girls in private, behind closed doors. Our efforts to disseminated by a technology and communication disrupt terrorist financing cannot be limited to oil platform, as part of online propaganda. That includes

6/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 the promise of access to wives and sex slaves and the post-conflict reconstruction efforts. As evidenced trading of women between brothers in exclusive online by their own families and communities, too many forums that cement group ties and affiliation. survivors are seen as affiliates of extremist groups rather than as victims. They are sometimes used as Finally, sexual violence is a tactic of terrorism when intelligence assets by security forces. As we bring back it is committed pursuant to an ideology of controlling our girls, let us bring them back to an environment of women’s bodies, sexuality and reproduction to produce support and opportunity, not hostility and suspicion. a generation that can be raised and groomed in the image of the organization, according to their ideology. Da’esh This is not just a fight against terrorism or a fight has established an official sex-trafficking institution, against trafficking; it is ultimately a fight for the dubbed Married Bureaus, to match young women to values and ideas that shape our common future. Da’esh fighters for that purpose. and their affiliates may view abducted women as Those six indicators of sexual violence as a tactic commodities to be trafficked. They may itemize them of terror will continue to be tracked and monitored by as price lists, ranging from $20 to $20,000, haggling my mandate. Victims of sexual violence by terrorist online over their victim’s perceived market value. groups are victims of terrorism, in the same way that They may try to negotiate the waters for human life or victims of sexual violence by warring parties are barter away a captured child for as little as a pack of victims of war. Resolution 2331 (2016), adopted today, cigarettes, but I am confident that the Council and its is an important normative development in that regard. sanctions committees will meet those depraved acts of The next step is to reflect that understanding in national terror with unity and clarity of purpose. Together, we counter-terrorism legislation to render sexual violence will send a resounding signal that the rights, freedoms survivors eligible for relief and reparation programmes, and futures of women and children are non-negotiable. on a basis of equality with other victims. That must The President (spoke in Spanish): I thank be mirrored in national, regional and global counter- Ms. Bangura for her briefing. terrorism strategies, which can no longer be decoupled from efforts to protect and empower women and girls. I now give the floor to Ms. Hasan. Greater coherence is needed between national Ms. Hasan (spoke in Arabic): At the outset, I would action plans on women, peace and security and plans like to extend my most heartfelt thanks to the Spanish being developed to counter violent extremism. Indeed, delegation for having invited me today to talk about we have seen time and time again that if we ignore the an important subject that is ravaging the members of voices of grass-roots women, we do so at our peril. my community. Too often, women have identified the early signs of I will open with a phrase that I heard on several radicalization but their warnings have gone unheard occasions after the black day of the attack on the Yazidi and unheeded, due to a limited understanding of region of Sinjar on 3 August 2014. It is a phrase told to terrorism and to narrow counter-terrorism strategies me over the phone by a Yazidi in the hands of Da’esh: “I which have traditionally been gender blind. Moving beg you to tell the authorities that if they cannot liberate forward, we must deepen the evidence base that informs us, they should bomb us.” That phrase still reverberates our advocacy and action. We must enhance information in my ears, as that sad and terrified girl told it to me. sharing and judicial cooperation to combat crimes that That phrase, which I heard on subsequent occasions as know no borders. It is a travesty and an outrage that not well, from other Yazidis, was uttered in vain. Indeed, one Da’esh fighter has yet been convicted for crimes of the terrorist organization Da’esh abducted over 6,500 sexual violence or even listed by our sanctions regime Yazidi women and children. For two years, four months on that basis. We must mobilize the moral authority of and eighteen days, our women and girls have been sold progressive religious and community leaders who can in slave markets and have been subjected to sexual help to shift the blame, shame and stigma of sexual slavery and the slave trade in the worst phenomenon of violence from the victims to the perpetrators. modern history, because Da’esh has taken us back to the Socioeconomic reintegration support for survivors, age of slavery and the slave trade, where a twelve-year- including medical, psychosocial, legal and livelihood old girl is sold for a pack of cigarettes. Those crimes assistance must infuse all of our peacebuilding and are an embarrassment to humankind. The international

16-45113 7/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 community remained silent in the face of all that has every day. That is the reality we witness daily; it is happened and is happening still. a twenty-first century reality. Our women and our children are brought to slave markets, much like in Since 3 August 2014, the suffering of Yazidi has medieval times. How can the human conscience stand continued. Women, in particular, and indeed, Yazidi for that? More than 6,500 Yazidi women were abducted mothers have to choose between being raped themselves but no military operation was carried out to free them. or having their own children raped before their very Where is justice? More than 3,000 women and children eyes. That is how we are treated by Da’esh. The were freed by various means through the help of an virginity of our girls has become the portal to paradise, office of the Government of Kurdistan entrusted with according to the laws and ideals of Da’esh. The majority the affairs of kidnapped individuals and others. were presented as presents during Da’esh festivities or religious competitions. What Da’esh is doing is based The Yazidi religious leaders adopted a declaration on extremist precepts based on fatwahs and religious facilitating the reintegration victims and their provision texts within Islamic jurisprudence. We know that Islam of special assistance. We are very grateful, but there are also contains moderate ideas and principles, but the more than 3,000 abducted women who are not treated worst part is that Muslim political and religious leaders as prisoners of war. but used as sexual slaves, shared have remained silent in the face of what Da’esh is doing. and exchanged among fighters. We understand that the That has led to our sadness and fear. international community has expressed sympathy for our plight, but it must act to stop the genocide and to There is no clear fatwah stating that the murder of protect our women so that they do not become objects the Yazidis or non-Muslims is a sin. There is no fatwah of such slavery. that clearly states those who commit such crimes are infidels. There is no such fatwa. We have heard no To ensure the freedom of more than 3,000 Yazidi clear expressions of sympathy from leaders. We are women who remain in the hands of Da’esh, I request facing a perniciousphenomenon that affects all States, that Yazidi areas be protected. I also ask for the including those that are stable and democratic. We need protection of other minorities to prevent the recurrence only consider the terrible attack yesterday in Germany of genocide and the enslavement of women. There is and the murder of the Russian Ambassador in Turkey, a need to evacuate more than 4,000 immigrants from committed in cold blood while the terrorists shouted Turkey and other countries, who currently live in very religious slogans. difficult conditions, and to give the Yazidis, particularly those who have been victims of slavery, opportunities The international community must eradicate to immigrate, as Germany has done. terrorism and eliminate its sources of financing. Da’esh could not commit all those massacres without support. There are 100,000 displaced persons and refugees The Yazidis are victims who have paid a very heavy in camps in Kurdistan. Despite the liberation of Yazidi price and been forced to leave the countries where areas, they have been unable to return and need the they have lived for thousands of years. Some have Council’s support given their humanitarian and health been freed, but genocide has been committed and the problems. They need to be provided with consistent Council has been unable to stop it. When selected areas support to face the problems of genocide and sexual have been reopened, we find the mass graves of Yazidi enslavement. We encourage the International Criminal men, women and even disabled people. Yazidis have Court to investigate those crimes. I hope that our often been the victims of murder. If the international requests will be considered so that we are able to community does not provide us with protection, other survive in dignity. groups will commit similar crimes and once again The President (spoke in Spanish): I thank thousands of women and girls will become sexual slaves. Ms. Hasan for her briefing. We cannot compromise with the honour and I now give the floor to Ms. Taha. dignity of our women and girls. I would ask members to imagine for a few seconds that their son or daughter Ms. Taha (spoke in Arabic): I would like to thank became the object of a lucrative trade by terrorists or the Spanish delegation for organizing this meeting on was brainwashed and became a terrorist. Those are human trafficking and for inviting me to speak to the very sad images, but unfortunately we them experience Council today. I would also like to thank the United

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States delegation for inviting me to address the Council have pointed out that the Iraqi Government made that for the first time a year ago (see S/PV.7585). 1 also thank request and that it was the least the Council could do in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and its the face of ISIS’ systematic atrocities. We said that the Executive Director, Mr. Yury Fedotov, for appointing evidence was disappearing and time was running out. me Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors There has been some progress. The United Kingdom of Human Trafficking. has shown great leadership in the Security Council When I was here in December 2015, I testified in proposing the establishment of an international about crimes of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq response to the global threat posed by ISIS, including and the Sham (ISIS) committed against me and the by setting up a mechanism to gather evidence of Yazidi community. I told the Council about how ISIS international crimes committed by ISIS in Iraq. The attacked my village of Kocho, how they rounded up all representatives of that country have spoken about that the men and killed more than 700 of them in a single this year at the United Nations including just last week day, including six of my brothers. I told the Council that at an event at which the Attorney General spoke when my mother was killed along with other older women. I Amal Clooney and I met with representatives of France, also recounted that I was enslaved by ISIS for sexual the United States and Russia. They were generally slavery, along with more than 6,000 other Yazidi positive with regard to the idea of establishing such a women and children. I spoke about my ordeal — how mechanism in cooperation with the Iraqi Government. we were bought, sold and treated like property. I also The Iraqi Government has also encouraged it, as well. explained how I was raped by ISIS militants multiple Since the high-level summit of the General Assembly times per day. this fall in New York, we have discussed it in Baghdad and London. Six weeks ago, the Iraqi Minister for Since I first sat before the Council, the ISIS Foreign Affairs also committed to working with the genocidal campaign against Yazidis has continued. As United Kingdom to implement a United Nations- of today, more than 3,000 Yazidis remain in captivity. led campaign to act and preserve evidence of crimes More than 350,000 Yazidis, along with more than committed by Da’esh. I would like to thank Foreign 1.5 million other refugees, continue to live under Minister Al-Jaafari and Prime Minister Al Abadi for difficult conditions in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. In voicing support for that initiative. my own family, two of my sisters-in-law, two nieces and two nephews are still hostages of ISIS. A year ago, However, time is running out, and statements of my beloved niece Katherine was killed in an explosion support are not enough. Action needs to be taken. But as she attempted to escape ISIS territory on foot. She I do not know what more it will take for the Council was just 18-years old. to act. I do not understand how there is no court able to prosecute the perpetrators of crimes committed My family has tried to rescue my nephew Malik, against Yazidis or any independent body to investigate now 13-years old. Malik has sometimes called us from them. I do not understand why the bodies of my captivity, and we have learned that he has been held at murdered mother and brothers still lie unprotected and an ISIS training camp in Raqqa and is being trained as unexamined in mass graves. I do not understand how a child soldier. A few months ago, a rescuer was able to ISIS militants can publish evidence of their crimes find Malik alone at a bakery in Raqqa. Malik refused to online and fail to be arrested. I do not know how it is try to escape with the rescuer, saying that Yazidis are that, although ISIS has no friends on the Council, the infidels who should convert and join ISIS. I am worried latter still does not move forward. I am not a diplomat, sick that he will soon be on the front lines. Another one and my message is not political. My fight is one for of my nieces, Nasreen, remains in captivity. She was all Iraqis who have suffered at the hands of ISIS. My just 16-years old when she was kidnapped by ISIS. As cause is that it can never be wrong to collect evidence we sit here having this discussion, she is probably being of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, tortured by ISIS militants three times her age. and that it is imperative, if we are not able to stop such crimes, that we at least commit to establishing a record Three months ago, I came to the United Nations of them. with my lawyer, Amal Clooney. We asked the Security Council to establish an independent body to investigate Therefore, on behalf of all Iraqis who have suffered the crimes committed by ISIS against all Iraqis. We at the hands of ISIS, I call on Prime Minister Al

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Abadi to send a letter to the Security Council asking Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, for the establishment of an international independent Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United commission for Iraq to investigate and document the Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United crimes committed by ISIS. I hope that the Council will States of America, Uruguay and Vanuatu. then act swiftly to create such a commission. My fight The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the is one for justice, and I know that justice is important to draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution all victims of human trafficking throughout the world. to the vote now. Yet many survivors whom I have met feel abandoned and ignored. Minority groups see themselves as A vote was taken by show of hands. forgotten and left to become a footnote of history. In favour: Women and children in conflict areas are sacrificed instead of being protected. Angola, China, Egypt, France, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Senegal, Spain, The worlds’ most powerful nations that are Ukraine, United Kingdom of Great Britain and represented here can stop that by ensuring that Northern Ireland, United States of America, human traffickers face punishment for their crimes; Uruguay and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) contributing to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, especially The President (spoke in Spanish): The draft women and children, which was established by the resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft General Assembly to provide critical assistance and resolution has been adopted unanimously as resolution support to survivors; by providing assistance to the 2331 (2016). establishment of international safe zones; and by taking I shall now make a statement in my national in refugees who are fleeing brutal wars, as countries capacity as President of the Government of Spain. such as Germany, France, the United States, Canada and Australia have already done or pledged to do with I wish to begin my statement by warmly thanking regard to the Yazidis. Today, I ask members to take a the following for their presence participation in today’s first step towards ensuring justice is done for Iraqi and debate: Secretary-General Ban-Ki-moon; Mr. Yury other victims of war, genocide and human trafficking Fedotov, Executive Director of the United Nations so that, one day, I can face my abusers in a court of law Office on Drugs and Crime; Ms. Zainab Hava Bangura, and tell them what they have done, and so that other Special Representative of the Secretary-General on victims of war terror and those who abuse them learn Sexual Violence in Conflict; Ms. Ameena Saeed Hasan; that this is what the United Nations stands for and does. and Ms. Nadia Murad Basee Taha. We have waited long enough. This meeting is particularly important for Spain not only because of the topic’s relevance but also because The President (spoke in Spanish): I thank Ms. Taha it is the last debate that my country shall convene as for her very meaningful briefing. a non-permanent member of the Security Council. On behalf of all the members of the Security Moreover, human trafficking is a clear affront to human Council, I thank all the briefers for their very dignity and also represents a threat to international informative briefings. peace and security in conflict and terrorism-related situations. It is a reincarnation of slavery in the midst Members of the Council have before them of the twenty-first century. Leaders from throughout document S/2016/1073, which contains the text of the world and representatives of civil society have a draft resolution submitted by Albania, Andorra, underscored the moral imperative of combating human Angola, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, trafficking and all modern forms of slavery. The Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, victims, the majority of whom are women and children, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, require — as was stated here — an urgent response, in France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, particular by the Security Council. Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, My delegation proposes a paradigm shift Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, recognizing that national judicial systems can break Norway, Palau, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, down in conflict situations. Under those circumstances,

10/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 action by the Security Council becomes necessary. It is strategy to fight violent extremism. My country has on that basis that we proposed resolution 2331 (2016), put in place a communication strategy on cyberspace the first resolution in the history of the Security Council that includes a counternarrative to radicalization. In on this tragic phenomenon. that regard, it is essential to monitor social networks in order to prevent extremism and gain knowledge of any With this open debate, we are beginning to engage radical content that could lead to trafficking. in what will be a deep reflection upon what contributions the Council can make to condemn human trafficking in The next five years afford us a historic opportunity areas of conflicts and the situations of exploitation to for us to place the fight against the worst forms of which that trafficking leads. We also propose exploring exploitation at the top of the list of United Nations means of strengthening the normative framework in the priorities. While important progress has been made area of sanctions, financial flows, victim protection and in certain areas, much remains to be done. In that assistance and developing a more effective strategy in regard, I would like to thank the Secretary-General the fight against human trafficking in areas of conflict. for his efforts in combating sexual exploitation and The response of the United Nations to the scourge abuse and his zero-tolerance policy regarding sexual of human trafficking continues to be fragmented. violence, which in some cases is perpetrated by Blue Eradicating this scourge requires more than just the Helmets. I would like to conclude by stating that my efforts of a single region, country, or department or country will resolutely support all efforts to ensure that agency of the United Nations. It requires efforts from perpetrators are brought to justice and that they serve all parties concerned, including the Council. their sentences. Let us strengthen our efforts to achieve Unfortunately, the connection between conflict and that goal. That is what I ask of everyone today. human trafficking is not a new one. The novel element I now resume my functions as President of is the use of human trafficking as a tactic in terrorism in the Council. the economy of war by groups like Da’esh, Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram. We have just heard the shocking I shall now give the floor to the other members of account of a brave survivor, Ms. Nadia Murad Basee the Council. Taha, who is now a strong defender of the rights of the Mr. Kyslytsya (Ukraine) (spoke in Spanish): Yazidi people in Iraq and the winner of the Sakharov Ukraine aligns itself with the statement to be delivered Prize for Freedom of Thought. We have also heard on behalf of the European Union and wishes to make from someone who risked her life to rescue many of the following statement in its national capacity. those victims, Ms. Ameena Saeed Hasan. Both of them, along with Special Representative of the Secretary- First of all, taking advantage of the fact that the General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Zainab President of the Government of Spain is presiding over Hawa Bangura, have explained how Da’esh is openly the Security Council, I would like to express, on behalf promoting the trafficking and enslavement of women of Ukraine, our sincere gratitude and appreciation for and children, thereby defying the most elemental norms Spain’s contribution to the work of the Council and its of international law. dedication and effectiveness during these two years. The active participation of Ambassador Oyarzun However, trafficking in situations of conflict is Marchesi and his team on such important issues on the not limited to the context of terrorism. The conflicts Council’s agenda, such as the fight against terrorism, in Iraq, Syria, Libya and the Sahel — just to mention non-proliferation and the promotion of human rights, a few — are leading to the mass displacement of serves as an example for permanent and non-permanent particularly vulnerable groups. That renders them members of the Council. even more vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking networks. Like many other countries, at the end of In particular, we appreciate the consistent and 2015, Spain adopted a new comprehensive plan to persistent position of Spain in the promotion of gender fight human trafficking for the purposes of sexual equality. Resolution 2242 (2015), the Informal Expert exploitation. Also in 2015, my Government strengthened Group on Women and Peace and Security, which was coordination between civil society organizations and established by the delegations of Spain and Great our State security agencies. We have worked to develop Britain, and the launch of the Network of National a counternarrative to extremism as part of our national Coordinators for Women and Peace and Security are

16-45113 11/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 just a few of the examples of real achievements made against trafficking in persons was identified as one of by Spain to improve the efficiency of the Organization, the priorities of the Government of Ukraine in the area particularly of the Security Council of the protection of human rights. I would also like to emphasize the importance of the At the same time, I would like to reiterate my topic proposed for discussion in today’s open debate. country’s request to include in the respective mandates The issue of human trafficking has been the focus of the Organization consideration of the problem of of attention of the United Nations in recent decades. sexual violence in the Ukrainian territories temporarily The Palermo Protocol of 2000 and the Global Plan of occupied by Russia. In view of the fact that Ukraine’s Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons of 2010 are police and security agencies do not have access to the cornerstones and key documents for all States Members territory of Crimea, which is occupied by Russia, or of the Organization. Nonetheless, in recent years, we to certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, have observed an evolution of human trafficking, which are controlled by terrorists supported by Russia, especially in situations of conflict and post-conflict. we must resolve the problem of the verification and In different parts of the world affected by conflict, documentation of cases of sexual violence in those sexual violence is used as a destructive tactic of war territories in order to provide support and assistance or terrorism, as well as one of the key elements of the to victims. ideology and activities of extremist groups, such as I am convinced that General Assembly resolution Boko Haram and Da’esh. The terrorist groups that I just 71/202, adopted yesterday, on human rights in the mentioned are openly promoting human trafficking as temporarily occupied territory of Crimea provides the part of their military strategy or as a source of funding. United Nations with the necessary authority to compel That is why the connection between phenomena like Russia to fulfil its responsibilities as an occupying human trafficking, sexual violence in conflict situations Power, as it is defined in the resolution. It is sad that and the activities of terrorist organizations requires we are talking about a country that, as a permanent special attention from the Security Council. member of the Security Council, must assume special The adoption of resolution 2331 (2016) is a timely responsibility to fulfil the Charter of the United measure that demonstrates the ability of the Security Nations, even though it became a State Member of the Council to respond to the new challenges and threats United Nations only 25 years ago. that arise in the area of ​​peace and security. We cannot Finally, I would like to mention another issue of close our eyes in the face of the situation on the ground. great importance to all of us, that is, accountability and We cannot wait for the number of victims of sexual the prosecution of perpetrators of human trafficking exploitation and sexual violence related to trafficking and crimes of sexual violence in conflict. The high to reach the terrible numbers of the war in Bosnia and level of impunity for those who commit such crimes Herzegovina or the genocide in Rwanda. in conflict is unacceptable, as the repetition of those A constant problem is the underestimation of data crimes creates a vicious cycle of criminality. Together on sexual violence in conflicts. That is mainly because with the provision of psychological, social and medical of stigma, fear of reprisals, lack of access for monitoring support to victims, we consider the fight against and inadequate means to ensure accountability. That is impunity a priority. why it is important that the resolution adopted today be Mr. Stewart (United Kingdom): Allow me to begin a new tool for the Security Council that helps facilitate by putting on record our deep condolences to the family the assessment of the situation on the ground in conflict of the Russian Ambassador for the terrible tragedy zones and post-conflict situations. That will allow us to in Turkey. study and reflect on in future reports of the Secretary- The testimony that we heard from Ms. Nadia General the problem of the connection between Murad Basee Taha has really brought home to us, human trafficking and the activities of traffickers and through the specificity of her experience, the horror terrorist groups. of what she experienced: her six brothers killed, the Ukraine strongly supports international efforts to stories of what happened to Catherine or indeed to her combat all forms of human rights violations and abuses nephew, Malik. The story that she has shared with us in conflict and post-conflict situations. The fight is not simply a story of violence, but in everything that

12/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 she said she underscored the way in which these are On implementation, I would like to pay tribute to forms of violence, of coercion, of slavery and, in their the Spanish Government, particularly for two elements, systematic and deliberate nature, forms of war. the focus in paragraph 2 (d) on victim identification and the focus in paragraphs 19 and 20 on training, I would also like to pay tribute to the Spanish in particular that of peacekeepers and humanitarian delegation for bringing resolution 2331 (2016) forward, workers. At the heart of our response there needs to be and to the analytical clarity with which Ms. Zainab not just an understanding of what we ought to do, but Bangura in particular, and the Spanish Government in what we can do, in particular an understanding of our drafting the resolution, has brought to our analysis this problem, by which I mean specifically the ways in which, own bureaucracies and the impediments and problems in paragraphs 8 and 9, we focused on the mechanics of in those bureaucracies. Therefore, we have been very human trafficking in conflict — on the ways in which clear on the challenges around predeployment training, it is used for recruitment, for financing, for destroying readiness standards, needs assessments and technical communities, for displacing communities, for gathering capacity. But the next stage needs to be to really intelligence, for advancing ideology; the ways in understand our agencies — to really understand what which this violence can be perpetrated through rape, reform will mean within UNODC, the International through sexual slavery, through forced prostitution Labour Organization, the Office of the United Nations and pregnancy. This detailed, rigorous and analytical High Commissioner for Refugees and the International description does not minimize or distract from, in fact Organization for Migration — and the ways in which it amplifies, the horror of what we are witnessing. that connects to what civil society is doing and to what officials in the countries concerned are doing. It is Personally, having been in Iraq in 2014 immediately very easy to sit around a table like this and talk in the after the situation in Sinjar and having seen directly abstract about coordination, but this is fundamentally Yazidi families struggling in those immediate first few about resources, institutional culture and about training days with the death of family members who had been in the broader sense. kidnapped and removed from them, I could not believe, as someone who had been working in Iraq since 2013, Within the United Kingdom, we are focusing on two the depth of that horror. Indeed, on my trip to Iraq just things. We are focusing, as Nadia said, on the issue of two and a half weeks ago I saw how permanent the accountability in Iraq and with the Iraqi Government. scars of what the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham Our Prime Minister has set up a task force on modern- has done within refugee camps — the damage it has day slavery, whose focus is above all on practical done to communities, to countries and, above all, to learning, on coordination and on implementation. a civilization. In conclusion, this meeting today is in many ways However, today we are really at this meeting and optimistic moment. It is exactly the kind of thing to focus on practical action, so I just want to take that the Council should be focused on — because of its a little time to make three brief observations on transnational nature and the non-State actors involved. practical action: the first is about our approach, the We owe huge thanks both to the Spanish leadership second is about implementation and the third is about and the multilateral Organization we exist within and bureaucracy. Humility needs to be fundamental to our for the way that is being connected with the analytical approach. We must take into account how difficult it rigor, which is being provided by the officials and by is to operate in a conflict environment; how difficult the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, it is to access; to provide protection; how difficult it is and also the way in which that connects to the human to protect and to prosecute; how honest we have to be testimony from Ms. Ameena Saeed Hasan and Nadia, about the gaps in our knowledge; how much we need which connects the rhetoric of this Chamber to the to learn from what the United Nations Office on Drugs reality on the ground. However, we are not just at and Crime (UNODC) does in other areas — in counter this meeting to describe the world, we are here to narcotics, illegal wildlife trade and terrorism. However, change it. That is going to involve some very difficult we must also consider the ways in which this can be conversations within our own bureaucracies and quite specific, both in the nature of the violence but agencies on reform — reform that is needed because also in the context in which it operates, whether it is in this relates to our deepest moral intuitions and our Mosul, in Nigeria or with Boko Haram or with Da’esh. deepest moral obligations.

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Mr. Bessho (Japan): I thank you, Mr. Mariano committees. I am confident that such steps will enable Rajoy Brey, President of the Government of Spain, for us to move forward effectively. convening this important meeting and for presiding over Japan acknowledges that the Convention against it yourself. My thanks also go to our briefers, who have Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol on spoken clearly on concrete crimes, with striking power trafficking in persons are essential as an international and courage to reveal these attacks against human framework to combat trafficking in persons. It is dignity that taking place even now on the ground. necessary to ensure that the spirit of the Convention Japan welcomes the unanimous adoption of is reflected in national laws of Member States and resolution 2331 (2016), which is the very first resolution effectively implemented. of the Council to address trafficking in persons in In that regard, Japan attaches great importance to conflict. I would like to express my sincere appreciation the assistance provided by the relevant entities, such as for the strong leadership of Spain in guiding us towards UNDOC and the Team of Experts on the Rule of Law this goal. and Sexual Violence, including on legislation and law Japan welcomes the resolution, which makes it enforcement. We expect them to make further progress clear that trafficking in persons is connected to sexual and we strongly support their critical work. violence, terrorism and other international organized In concluding, I would like to reaffirm Japan’s criminal activities and also that it exemplifies how commitment to contributing to the efforts of all to trafficking in persons in armed conflict and sexual combat the trafficking of persons in conflict. violence can be and is used as a tactic by certain terrorist groups. Mr. Ramírez Carreño (Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) (spoke in Spanish): First of all, I would Trafficking in persons in conflict situations is a like to reiterate our expressions of solidarity and violation of human dignity and human rights, but it condolences to the Government and the people of the does not stop there. It is being used more and more Russian Federation folowing the brutal assassination of systematically, sometimes accompanied by sexual their Ambassador, Andrey Karlov ,yesterday in Turkey. violence, by terrorist groups and non-State actors as We call for an end to hate speech against the Russian a tool for fundraising, recruitment and the destruction Federation regarding the situation in the Middle East. of communities. In such cases it poses serious threats to international peace and security. The international We are honoured by your presence, Sir, Mr. Mariano community is responsible for removing this threat by Rajoy Brey, as President of the Government of Spain, at holding those who engage in such activities accountable. this important open debate. This is the final debate in which we will participate as a non-permanent member The briefings heard by the Council today, especially of the Security Council. We also wish to express from Ms. Nadia Murad Basee Taha, convince us of our warmest congratulations for the work of your the urgent need to take action to combat this problem. Ambassador, Sir, Mr. Román Oyarzun Marchesi, who, In order to accurately recognize and address the along with the Spanish team, has done excellent work situation effectively, the Security Council needs to during your membership of the Security Council. have relevant information. This resolution promotes information-sharing in the Council by requesting the We also appreciate the briefings given by Secretary-General to report on trafficking in persons Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Mr. Yury Fedotov in armed conflict and by welcoming briefings to be and Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura. We especially wish submitted to the Council by the United Nations Office on to thank Ms. Ameena Saeed Hasan and Ms. Nadia Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) and other relevant actors. Murad Basee Taha for their courage and for reminding us once again today of the consequences and trauma Furthermore, the resolution expresses the Council’s experienced by victims of war and terrorism, in this intention to integrate this issue into the work of the case in one of its most perverse forms: trafficking in relevant sanctions committees, in accordance with persons and sexual violence. their mandates, to invite the Special Representatives of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict Venezuela furthermore wishes to align itself with and on Children and Armed Conflict to brief those the statement to be delivered by the delegation of the

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Kingdom of Bahrain on behalf of the Group of Friends fact that in the past two years sexual violence has been against Trafficking in Persons. increasingly linked to the strategic, ideological and financial objectives of extremist and terrorist groups. The information provided by today’s briefers Venezuela recognizes that trafficking in persons and and Nadia Murad Basee Taha’s wrenching testimony sexual violence are being used by some extremist and in particular could not have been more eloquent or terrorist groups as a terror tactic and also to finance revealing. Her sad experience regarding the murder of this scourge. Moreover, the enslavement and trafficking her family and the situation in her village demonstrate of women and children demonstrates their absolute the brutal nature of the war taking place in the disregard towards women and their intolerance and Middle East. hatred of other races, cultures and religions. It is the It is unacceptable to us that human beings are used clearest sign of the brutal and despicable nature of by criminal and terrorist groups as spoils of war. We those extremist groups, which will have to be brought are witnessing a tragedy that is being experienced by to justice. thousands of people, especially women and children. All the information we have available to us clearly In addition to the horrors of armed conflict, they are points to the fact that the training, equipping and victims of trafficking and sexual violence: crimes promotion of non-State actors, whose actions are based that attack human dignity in the most perverse of on violent extremism, are aimed at promoting the break- ways and, depending on the circumstances, constitute up of States for political reasons and the creation of flagrant violations of international humanitarian law such groups as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham, and international conventions on human rights and on the Al-Nusra Front and the Army of Conquerors. They transnational organized crime. also facilitate the commission of various atrocities, Trafficking in persons is a transnational crime war crimes and crimes against humanity against the from which no country is exempt. Nevertheless, it is population, in particular against the most vulnerable necessary to highlight that the reasons for and causes groups, such as women and children. that promote this type of crime — and the fact that In that regard, we once again demand that all extremist and terrorist groups use trafficking in actors in the international community prevent those persons and sexual violence as part of their strategic kinds of crimes. The best way to do that is to fully goals and to finance their criminal activities — have respect the standards and provisions of international been exacerbated in recent years due to situations of law and the relevant resolutions of the Council and armed conflict in various regions of the world, such as the General Assembly relating to the prohibition on the Middle East and North Africa, and in particular in providing weapons and financial and logistical support Iraq, Syria, Libya and the Sahel. In the case of the latter, to such non-State violent groups, who often become due to the destruction of the social fabric of the Sahel terrorist groups. That way we can effectively decrease region of Africa, terrorism has been spread throughout their operational capacity and, consequently, reduce the Lake Chad basin by groups such as Boko Haram, the number of various crimes related to trafficking which operate in various countries. in persons and sexual violence. Ending trafficking in In the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, persons and sexual violence in armed conflicts means published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and being fully committed to resolving armed conflicts Crime in 2014, it was acknowledged that, prior to wherever such crimes occur. the year 2011, when the Syrian conflict began, it was While we need to confront the criminal mafias very rare to identify victims of trafficking of Syrian that engage in human trafficking and take advantage nationality. In the briefing given by Mr. Fedotov a year of the tragedy of millions of human beings, we must ago he stated that since the so-called Islamic State in also act in a coherent political and moral way, without Iraq and the Levant began its uprising in the north of encouraging armed conflicts that are based on economic the country, victims of trafficking from Iraq and Syria and geopolitical interests. In that way, we can avoid the have been more frequently identified in various parts tragic consequences that we want to eradicate today, of the world. but which were not given due consideration when some The report of the Secretary-General on sexual countries irresponsibly supported military aggression violence in armed conflicts (S/2016/361) highlighted the in Iraq, Libya and now in Syria. In the Security Council

16-45113 15/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 we need to expend a huge effort to put a stop and to States, with the goal of coordinating and establishing rectify the irreparable suffering of millions of people synergies together with the various entities of the and the destruction of entire societies. United Nations that have a remit in that area and with different regional and subregional mechanisms. We believe that accountability is one of the most important aspects related to the prevention of this kind of To conclude, Venezuela would like to reiterate crime. We cannot accept impunity for this kind of crime. its commitment to contribute to strengthening the Venezuela is in favour of effective accountability for all institutional, administrative and judicial instruments forms of sexual violence. Exemplary sanctions should that are key in the fight to eradicate those horrendous be applied to all instigators and perpetrators of those and barbaric crimes against humanity, which are an crimes, including the adoption of targeted sanctions, affront to civilization and to the modern world. They in accordance with the mechanisms established by the are a pressing responsibility for the Organization if we Security Council. Just as important is the establishment want to see its noble purposes and principles become and the scaling-up of national institutional capacities a reality. related to justice, health care and social welfare systems Mr. Bermúdez (Uruguay) (spoke in Spanish): At in countries in situations of armed conflict and post- the outset, we would like to thank you, Mr. Mariano conflict, so that, while fully respecting the sovereignty Rajoy Brey, President of the Government of Spain, of the States concerned, we can develop and build their for presiding over today’s open debate. I also thank capacities with the goal of providing due attention to the briefers for their comprehensive statements. We the victims. congratulate Spain on having convened this open We believe that we have sound legal instruments debate, which is of particular importance in the current at hand that could make it possible for us to combat context, given the unprecedented mass migration the crime of trafficking in human beings and also to crisis, with refugees and internally displaced persons cover situations of armed conflict. An example is the becoming the main targets of traffickers. United Nations Convention against Transnational Trafficking in persons in situations of conflict is Organized Crime and its Protocol to prevent, Suppress a global problem. It concerns not only the countries of and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women origin, but also the transit and destination countries of and Children. That is an instrument that has almost victims, the countries in which those criminal networks reached universal membership. We also have the United operate and those through which money passes for Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in those networks. And the list could continue. Persons, including provisions pertaining to examining this problem in situations of conflict. In 2017, there will Human trafficking is a means of subjugating and be a full review of that Plan of Action. It will be an ideal using human beings for profit. It gravely violates opportunity to strengthen the Plan and to address the their human rights. Through abuses and violence, challenges that we are currently dealing with. it degrades the victims’ human condition and turns them into commodities. It removes their physical and Resolution 2332 (2016), adopted today by emotional integrity. It is a threat to all of society and consensus in the Security Council, is an extraordinary affects the well-being of communities and the security and concrete contribution by the Security Council on of nations. According to the World Report on Human this topic for those situations of armed conflict that we Trafficking of the United Nations Office on Drugs and were discussing. Also, it clearly points to the need to Crime (UNODC), that phenomenon affects practically have better strategic coordination of efforts in order to all regions of the world. UNODC has identified at prevent trafficking in persons and sexual violence and least 510 flows of transnational trafficking in persons. also to confront it, in line with efforts to combat violent Most of those victims are targeted for the purposes of extremism, which could lead to terrorism. sexual exploitation. In addition, I would like to add that the nature of Those conflicts and humanitarian crises only both crimes and the measures aimed at their effective increase the risks of human trafficking. They find prevention and eradication in the context of armed fertile ground in economic desperation and in the conflict also requires forms of broadened democratic weakening of the rule of law and fewer social services. discussion that ensures the full participation of Member As a result, people are forced to leave their homes, and

16/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 even their countries of residence. In that regard, when a thousands of women and children within the context country is in a situation of conflict, the rule of law in its of war. territory can be weakened. That creates greater freedom Another significant aspect is training. The of action for those organizations that seek to exploit the complexity of human trafficking means there needs to institutional weaknesses for their illegal activities, such be greater awareness, in addition to specialized training as human trafficking. Even if we deem that today one of the main elements that creates human trafficking within that scope for as many people as possible, but situations in conflict situations is the self-described especially for the officials and points of contact to Islamic State and its associated groups, we need to bear whom it is most likely victims will turn, such as police in mind that those crimes are also perpetrated by other and military officers, help centres, consulates and actors that operate in the same violent manner in others embassies, among others. regions of the world. Furthermore, we recognize the role of civil society Resolution 2231 (2016), which we have unanimously in providing assistance and support to victims. In that adopted today, which Uruguay co-sponsored, roundly regard, Uruguay has concluded drafting a comprehensive condemns human trafficking in armed conflict- preliminary bill to prevent and fight trafficking in and affected areas. That is a cross-cutting and multifaceted exploitation of persons that underscores the human phenomenon. Unfortunately, it is being replicated and it rights of the victims as a top priority. It also calls is affecting very fragile areas of the world where people upon diplomatic missions to engage in trafficking are living in situations of high vulnerability. Uruguay prevention activities, promote training for staff, make wishes to highlight several elements in the resolution available information easily accessible and create that we believe are extremely important. support initiatives for victims. Moreover, the resolution emphasizes the need to reintegrate victims into society First, the resolution calls for ratifying and and adopt mechanisms to protect and support them. implementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, as well as the Protocol Uruguay, as a country committed to promoting, to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, protecting and upholding human rights, wishes to Especially Women and Children. Those agreements underpin the need to provide comprehensive assistance make up the international legal framework of rules and to the victims of trafficking in persons. We must focus obligations to ensure that States develop international on their recovery and reintegration into society, and instruments to combat trafficking in persons. not just penalize the crime in question. The victims Secondly, the resolution highlights the need for must receive assistance and legal and psycho-social cooperation and exchange of information. In that regard, protection. Furthermore, for Uruguay, it is key that the Uruguay positively views the growing connection victims of human trafficking not be punished for crimes between the work of UNODC, the Secretary-General that they may have committed, if it is determined and the Security Council, since increasingly trafficking that they were subjected to trafficking at the time of in persons is linked to armed conflicts and threats to committing those crimes. international peace and security. We welcome the work Uruguay also believes that activities related to of UNODC as the guardian of the Convention against trafficking in persons not be restricted to the time Transnational Organized Crime, including the Palermo period of a given conflict. The frameworks for action in Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking the wake of armed conflict are also lacking in terms of in Persons, especially Women and Children. shortcomings within the justice system and compliance Thirdly, the resolution addresses sexual violence with the law, in addition to an organized civil society and the strengthening of the mandate of the Special that can file complaints about such situations. That is Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual why our country believes that the work of UNODC Violence in Conflict. Uruguay condemns the use of and the Security Council should be carried out in sexual violence by any party as a terrorist tactic to close coordination with the Peacebuilding Commission further such an agenda. Those practices have led to the with a view to preventing territories in post-conflict development of a growing nexus between trafficking situations from turning into fertile grounds for in persons and conflict, thereby violating the rights of criminal organizations.

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By way of conclusion, we believe, in short, that In Syria women suffer the worst types of fighting trafficking in persons in conflict situations atrocities — rape, forced marriage and prostitution are requires efforts and cooperation from the international the daily lot for the people who live in the areas controlled community as a whole in order to address the needs by Da’esh. Da’esh has established an actual market in of those who are most vulnerable, such as women and Iraq, where women and girls from minorities, such as children. To that end, we must take appropriate action Yazidis or Christians, are sold to be used as sexual both internally and internationally. We must recognize slaves. The United Nations Independent International that we are the ones that are responsible for effecting Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic real change, which we can do by taking a broad, confirmed in its June 2016 report to the Human Rights comprehensive and multifaceted approach to the issue of Council that crimes against humanity and crimes of trafficking in persons in conflict situations, something genocide were committed by Da’esh against young that requires determination and political will. The Yazidi women. In West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, international community can count on Uruguay’s firm Boko Haram has tortured, raped and held as prisoners hundreds of women and children. commitment in that vein. Those acts are not only unacceptable from a Mr. Delattre (France) (spoke in French): On behalf moral point of view, but they constitute war crimes, of France, I would like to begin by expressing our crimes against humanity and, in some cases, crimes of deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to all those genocide. Terrorist groups that commit such atrocities who have been struck by the tragic terrorist attacks take what it means to be human to new lows. Those over the past two days. responsible for such crimes will be held accountable Allow me to warmly thank the Spanish presidency before the court of law. To confront such crimes, we for organizing this especially important debate and to must act in the name of protection — protection of congratulate it for its tireless efforts that have led to civilians, obviously, especially of women and children, the adoption of resolution 2331 (2016). It is an excellent but also protection of international humanitarian law illustration of the outstanding Spanish presidency and and the very principles of our Organization. the exceptional work carried out by its Ambassador to For France, the fight against trafficking in persons, the United Nations and his team. I would also like to especially in women and children, and the fight against express my gratitude to the Secretary-General for his sexual violence committed against them in situations presence here and for his commitment to the topic, of conflict, is an absolute top priority. Such priority as well as to Ms. Bangura and Mr. Fedotov for their has led France to take action on the various fronts in always enlightening briefings. Finally, I would also this important fight. France is involved in numerous like to particularly thank Ms. Ameena Saeed Hasan bilateral and regional cooperation efforts to help the and Ms. Nadia Murad Basee Taha for their moving most vulnerable States in confronting such a scourge. testimonies, the reminder that they have offered us and France also actively participates in capacity-building their fight, which is also our fight. programmes of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), particularly in West Africa. And my France aligns itself with the statement that will country has been the largest contributor to the UNODC be made by the Anti-Trafficking Coordinator of the funds for human trafficking since its establishment European Union. in 2010. Trafficking in persons is one of the most profitable France has spared no effort, and will spare no and widespread means of trafficking around the world. effort, to mobilize the international community in The actions committed by Da’esh and Boko Haram this fight. Following the conference that took place dramatically illustrate the link between trafficking of in Paris in September 2015 on the victims of religious persons, often related to sexual violence, and terrorism. and ethnic violence in the Middle East, during France’s For those terrorist groups, the first victims claimed presidency of the Council in June we organized a debate are generally women and children. And trafficking (see S/PV.7704) on trafficking in persons and sexual in persons is not only a way of sowing terror among violence in conflict situations. We commend the fact civilian populations, but it is also used as a source of that some of the recommendations formulated during financing or recruitment tool. that debate were reflected in resolution 2331 (2016),

18/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 presented by Spain. Finally, UNODC will present appreciation for his presiding earlier over our meeting tomorrow, with the support of France, its biennial today. His presence here today is a clear indication of global report on trafficking in persons. the importance that Spain attaches to this issue. The focus on the phenomenon of human trafficking in The Security Council shoulders a collective armed conflict, which highlights a disturbing trend that responsibility in the fight against trafficking in persons warrants strengthened international action, is indeed in conflict situations. We have at our disposal the commendable and timely. relevant international legal framework — the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Allow me to thank Secretary-General Ban Crime and its protocols, including the protocol dedicated Ki-moon and the other briefers for their respective to combating human trafficking. It is within that briefings and steadfast commitment to addressing the framework that we need to strengthen our engagement. issue of human trafficking in their work. I also wish Human trafficking and sexual violence committed to thank Ms. Ameena Saeed Hasan and Ms. Nadia in situations of conflict are too often considered as Murad for their harrowing and powerful testimonies. separate from the threats to international peace and Their courage and fortitude in the face of unspeakable security that are reviewed by the Security Council. In horrors should compel us to act, and demands to be fact, those practices are part and parcel of the strategies matched by the strongest resolve from the international of such terrorist groups as Da’esh and Boko Haram, and community to ensure that the detestable treatment that indeed are a threat to international peace and security. they and others have experienced is not repeated. As the threat of terrorism evolves, we must evolve with Trafficking in persons is abhorrent in any context; it. on that there is universal agreement. Human trafficking I would therefore like to conclude by echoing entails the extrajudicial judgment that certain groups one of the main messages of the resolution: the need of people, whether on the basis of ethnicity, faith, to better take into account the link between human gender, economic status, age or other random criteria, trafficking, sexual violence and terrorism, which for the are inferior lots and can be used as a means to an end. very first time has been clearly recognized as a threat Human traffickers strip people of their dignity and to international peace and security — a potentially negate the respect inherent to all humankind, thereby crucial breakthrough. Following presidential statement debasing their victims as mere chattel for the profit of S/PRST/2015/25, adopted in December 2015, the others. Such twisted concepts and beliefs are especially Council has taken a major step forward today. On pernicious in situations of armed conflict, where the that basis, a more in depth analysis of the threat and vulnerability of civilian communities renders them identification of the individuals and entities that, prime targets for such horrendous acts. through their actions, are involved in human trafficking, Moreover, we are currently witnessing a nightmare is necessary. That work should be carried out jointly by scenario in which non-State armed groups that expose the entities in charge of the fight against terrorism in violent and extremist ideologies are actively engaging the United Nations: the United Nations Office on Drugs in human trafficking activities to fulfil their distorted and Crime and the Office of the Special Representative visions of the world. Da’esh and its ilk have shown on Sexual Violence in Conflict. that they are capable of immense cruelty through the In the face of such appalling crimes and challenges prevalant use of sexual violence and the enslavement to human conscience, it is our collective responsibility and trade of women and girls for recruitment and financial purposes. In that regard, the practices of to act in order to put an end to those crimes and groups such as Da’esh and Boko Haram in perpetuating prosecute those responsible for such actions without sexual violence, including through the trafficking of let-up. The resolution that we have adopted today gives women and children, demands heightened and greater us additional legal instruments to move ahead in that attention and responses from the Council. Malaysia is direction. Let us unite our efforts to make the best therefore pleased to have supported and co-sponsored possible use of those instruments. resolution 2331 (2016), just adopted. That resolution Mr. Ibrahim (Malaysia): I wish once again to marks an important contribution to reinforcing the warmly welcome the President of the Government of existing international framework to combat trafficking Spain to the Security Council and to express to him my in persons, particularly where that is being used to fuel

16-45113 19/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 terrorist activities. We wish to highlight three aspects (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning ISIL that we believe will make a real difference in tackling (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, the scourge. undertakings and entities. We support integrating a focus on trafficking in persons and the use of sexual First, as with all transnational crime, strengthening violence in armed conflict into the work of the 1267 cooperation and coordination between Member States, Monitoring Team and Counter-Terrorism Committee as well as regional and international organizations, is Executive Directorate, where there are clear linkages imperative. In that regard, we call upon Member States to terrorist activities. that have yet to subscribe to and implement the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized At the same time, the crucial outreach and advocacy Crime and its additional protocols, which provide the role of the Special Representative of the Secretary- principal foundation for our concerted action, to do General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and of the Special so. We also encourage Member States to prioritize Representative of the Secretary-General for Children ratifications of other international instruments that and Armed Conflict must be better leveraged. The complement efforts to eradicate human trafficking securing of commitments and action plans for parties in all its forms, such as the relevant protocols of the to the conflict, so as to end and prevent violations and International Labour Organization, the Committee abuses associated with trafficking persons, including on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the sexual violence and recruitment and use of children, Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against should continue to be pursued. We call for the Council’s Women, among others. continued engagement with those envoys, including through the Working Group on Children and Armed Given the multifaceted dimensions of trafficking Conflict and the various sanctions committee. in persons, including where it is associated with sexual violence and funding terrorist activities, it is crucial that My final point pertains to the need for victims the international community mobilize complementary and survivors of trafficking and sexual violence to legal means, where available, to investigate, disrupt be supported in returning to a secure and stable life. and dismantle trafficking networks. We fully support Women and children subjected to any violations and the efforts of the United Nations Office on Drugs and abuses, including trafficking and sexual violence Crime and other bodies, as well as bilateral partners, in at the hands of Da’esh and similar groups, should be providing technical support to Member States to build considered as victims and given access to funding and law enforcement capacities. assistance. In that respect, community and religious leaders are pivotal in ensuring the reintegration and Within the South-East Asian region, our rehabilitation of survivors and eliminating the stigma Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) that can be associated with the ordeal that they have neighbours have demonstrated a unified commitment been through. In that regard, we support a continued to combating and preventing trafficking in persons in partnership with civil society to enable survivors and the ASEAN Convention against Trafficking in Persons, communities to heal and renew. Especially Women and Children and its related plan of action, established in November 2015. We appreciate I wish to conclude by reaffirming Malaysia’s the strong support for such regional-level efforts by enduring resolve to combat and eradicate trafficking East Asia Summit partners, as reflected in the Summit in persons, and of our equally strong commitment to declarations adopted in September. continue working with the international community until we bring an end to those crimes against humanity. Secondly, in maintaining international peace and Mr. Van Bohemen (New Zealand): Let me begin security, the Security Council must better utilize its by congratulating the President of the Government of available tools to monitor trends in human trafficking Spain, Mr. Rajoy Brey, and the Spanish delegation for in armed conflict, identify perpetrators and hold them this most timely debate and for the successful adoption accountable. Information and evidence of acts of of resolution 2331 (2016) today. trafficking in persons and sexual violence in conflict should be made available to the Council and channelled Trafficking in persons, like slavery, with which it to the relevant sanctions committees, including the is closely associated, used to be regarded as a crime of committee established pursuant to resolutions 1267 an earlier era. Sadly, that is not so any more. Indeed, it

20/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 can be found in many countries, including my own, as engage in the full spectrum of international security I shall note more fully in a moment. It has reinforced to issues, in all their disturbing dimensions.New Zealand my own country that all States Members of the United would like to highlight five aspects that we consider Nations must be vigilant in addressing the issue. The warrant particular attention. problems and effects of trafficking are exponentially First, the Council needs to integrate such issues and despicably worse in conflict situations. That into our work, wherever relevant. That means ensuring reality has been brought home through today’s that the effects of trafficking and sexual violence briefing — and, if I may say so quite graphically and against women, men, and children are appropriately directly — to the Council in the testimony of Nadia reflected in our consideration of specific mandates and Murad, the young Yazidi woman who addressed us last year (see S/PV.7585), as well as in the briefings country situations. That should not depend on mandate of Zainab Bangura, the Special Representative of the prescriptiveness. Rather, when present, such aspects Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and need to be considered. To that end, the Secretariat needs Under-Secretary-General Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, to ensure that such issues are adequately reflected in its on the use of sexual violence in the conflicts in Syria advice to the Council, including its formal reports and and South Sudan, the Lake Chad region and elsewhere. the conflict assessments on which they are based. The callous barbarity of the treatment meted out Secondly, we need to make active and effective to innocent people, most often women, girls and young use of the other international tools at our disposal. men, is mind-numbing: being kidnapped, forced into As Ms. Bangura so clearly pointed out today, the marriage, raped, sexually molested and abused; sold effective use of the Islamic State in the Levant/Da’esh into slavery, forced into prostitution; forced to be a sanctions regime is an obvious point of engagement. suicide bomber, a combatant, a labourer; and even sent It was disappointing that we were unable to reach an into battle with your baby strapped to your back. And, agreement for her to brief us and our Committee earlier if by some fortunate chance you are able to get free, this year. there is the risk of being rejected by your own family As resolution 2331 (2016) adopted today underlines, and community for the crimes that were done to you. the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Listening to those briefings last year were the most Trafficking provides an essential framework for such harrowing days I have spent at this table. efforts, both in terms of international cooperation The Secretary-General’s annual report on conflict- and State-level implementation. Within the Plan of related sexual violence (S/2016/361/Rev.1) and the Action, the terrorist financing framework has shown briefings on specific conflicts on the Council’s agenda its effectiveness in following the flow of money to illustrate the ways in which trafficking is both fuelled those responsible and cutting off sources of finance. by and exacerbates conflict situations. However, the Organizations such as the International Organization evidence presented today on how such phenomena for Migration, INTERPOL, the Office of the United interplay and reinforce each other is deeply troubling. Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Terrorist groups will, of course, use whatever means Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units also they can to pursue their objectives. For some, their have significant expertise and networks that we can and motive is profit. In many cases, however, it is about should be utilizing to their fullest extent. terrorizing and controlling communities to eliminate As resolution 2223 (2016)adopted last week resistance and, above all, to exercise power over people underlines, challenging cross-border issues such as this with no defences. In that regard, those perpetrators are demand cohesion across lines of effort to be effective. in essence cowards. It is important, therefore, that such international efforts In any event, we need a shared understanding of are effectively coordinated. The United Nations system that phenomenon and an agreement on collective action is well placed to assist. The Inter-Agency Coordination to confront and defeat it. The fact that the issue is Group against Trafficking in Persons has a central role difficult, deeply distasteful and has social and economic to play, as does the United Nations Office on Drugs dimensions should not deter the Council from taking it and Crime. We look forward to engaging with Member up or be used as a pretext for leaving the issue for other States on options for how such coordination can be bodies to address. The Council has a responsibility to further strengthened.

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Thirdly, regional cooperation has a vital role to play Bangura, and the representatives of civil society for in efforts to confront such issues, given their cross- their briefings. border nature and scope. New Zealand’s experience Resolution 2331 (2016), unanimously adopted today has demonstrated the effectiveness of such approaches. by the Security Council, will help the international In our own region, the Asia Pacific, the Bali Process community combat trafficking in persons in conflict provides a valuable forum for addressing the complex areas and protect the rights and interests of women and challenges of trafficking in persons and related children in a joint endeavour. Today, we are witnessing transnational crime. the swift emergence of problems in regional hotspots, the Fourthly, States need to pursue those responsible start of new conflicts and the continuance of protracted for such acts at the domestic level. Traffickers profit ones, which all pose a serious threat to the survival and from exploiting the weak and vulnerable. All States dignity of the people in conflict situations, in particular need to ensure that they have appropriate criminal vulnerable groups such as women and children, making offences that allow such individuals to be brought to them easier prey to violence and crime. It is incumbent justice. Just last week, a New Zealand court handed upon the international community to build synergies down the first conviction in New Zealand for people to enhance the protection of the rights of women and trafficking, imposing a sentence of almost 10 years children in areas of armed conflict and strive to end the in prison and ordering the payment of reparations to trafficking of persons in such areas. the victims. First, we must eradicate the root causes of conflict. Finally, we must not lose sight of the needs of those While fighting transnational organized crime with great most affected by conflict-related trafficking and sexual intensity and providing safety assurances for women violence — the victims and the survivors. In that regard, and children in conflict situations, the international Nadia Murad laid down a very specific challenge to the community should pay close attention to addressing the Council today. To establish an effective mechanism root causes of conflict. It should intensify the political to gather and protect evidence of the crimes that have approach used based on the purposes and principles of been committed in Iraq and Syria. That is a challenge the Charter of the United Nations in order to resolve that New Zealand will not be able to take up as we leave differences through dialogue and consultation. We the Council in 11 days, at least not in this organ, but we should focus on helping conflict torn countries boost believe that it is a challenge that needs to be addressed. their economic and social development, embark on In conclusion, we hope today’s discussions will sustainable development and steer clear of conflict galvanize our collective efforts to combat and defeat and war. those interrelated scourges by tackling them at their Secondly, we must step up the fight against terrorism source, while bringing those responsible to justice and and transnational organized crime. Trafficking in providing the necessary support to those affected. persons in areas of armed conflict has become the Mr. Wu Haitao (China) (spoke in Chinese): China source of funding for terrorist organizations and was deeply shocked by the fatal shooting of the Russian transnational organized crime groups. The international Ambassador to Turkey and by the terrorist incidents that community should take coordinated, harmonized have occurred in other countries, including Germany action, apply uniform standards and employ political, and Yemen. We offer our deepest condolences to the economic and cultural means in an integrated manner victims and strongly condemn those acts of terrorism. in order to obstruct the channels of financing for China takes a firm stand against all forms of terrorism terrorist organizations and firmly suppress all forms of and supports the international community’s counter- terrorism and transnational, organized crime. terrorism efforts and actions. Thirdly, we should help conflict-torn countries China commends Spain’s initiative to convene to strengthen their capacity-building. They bear the today’s open debate. We welcome Mr. Mariano Rajoy primary responsibility for protecting the safety of their Brey, President of the Government of Spain, who is women and children and combating human trafficking. presiding over today’s meeting. I thank Secretary- On the other hand, they are likely to be dealing with General Ban Ki-moon, Executive Director Fedotov, practical difficulties such as a lack of resources and Special Representative of the Secretary-General capacity. While respecting national sovereignty,

22/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 the international community should provide these of transnational organized crime and terrorism. countries, at their request, with constructive support, In December of last year, the Council adopted a focusing on assisting their capacity-building in the presidential statement (S/PRST/2015/25) on the issue of areas of the fight against terrorism and border control. combating human trafficking. Fourthly, we should deepen international We have taken note of the efforts of the United cooperation. The issue of human trafficking in conflict Nations, including its Office on Drugs and Crime, to situations involves countries of origin, transit and prevent and combat human trafficking, including by destination. Those concerned should improve their providing States with assistance through its agencies. cooperation in areas such as border enforcement, That work deserves all possible support. Russia has financial regulation and judicial assistance. The traditionally supported consolidating the efforts of United Nations and its subsidiary bodies, including the States, United Nations entities and international and Security Council, the United Nations Office on Drugs regional anti-trafficking organizations. The Russian and Crime and the Counter-Terrorism Committee Federation is party to the United Nations Convention Executive Directorate, should all leverage their against Transnational Organized Crime and its Palermo particular advantages, strengthen their coordination Protocol, and is a member of the Group of Friends and work together to address the issue. United against Human Trafficking. We have supported the development of the Global Plan of Action to Combat China will continue to strengthen its cooperation Trafficking in Persons since its beginnings and taken with Governments and the relevant international an active part in it. The international community organizations in order to effectively protect the rights has established a number of mechanisms capable of and interests of women and children, to combat helping to qualitatively improve States’ cooperation in human trafficking in conflict situations and to jointly preventing and combating human trafficking. safeguard international and regional peace, security, stability and development. The transnational groups involved in this criminal activity today are constantly adapting their methods and Mr. Churkin (Russian Federation) (spoke in in many cases working with the terrorist underground, Russian): I would first like to express my deep for which the proceeds from human trafficking are appreciation to the President of the Government of now a source of funding. This is often accompanied Spain, the Secretary-General, the members of the by kidnappings, sexual violence and drug trafficking. Security Council, every Member of our Organization Partly for that reason, States have decided, during the and the staff of the Secretariat, who have voiced seventy-second session of the General Assembly, to their outrage and sympathy over the terrorist act that conduct an assessment of the progress that has been killed Ambassador Andrey Gennadievich Karlov made in implementing the Global Plan of Action. We of the Russian Federation. We greatly appreciate hope that the review will enable us to update it in their solidarity. the light of the new challenges and threats that have The crime of human trafficking has been a emerged, including the issue of human trafficking dangerous element in a number of current conflicts, in armed conflict. In that regard, we would like and its link to terrorism is particularly worrying. to emphasize that when considering this topic it is One of the most shocking examples of it has been the important to keep to the established purviews of United violence inflicted by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Nations entities. For instance, based on its mandate for Levant on ethnic and religious minorities, including the maintenance of international peace and security, the Yazidis. Terrorists have captured thousands of Yazidis, Security Council should deal with the issue of human trafficking only as it relates to situations on its agenda. enslaved their women and children, forced them into If not, such efforts might lead to the creation of parallel marriage and abused them sexually. Yazidis and other mechanisms that could end up having a negative impact minorities fleeing terrorist oppression and atrocities on the effectiveness of international efforts in that area. have been forced to abandon their homes, and many have been killed. Through, for instance, its resolutions There are no universal recipes for combating 2195 (2014), 2199 (2015) and 2253 (2015), the Security human trafficking, and every State must decide its own Council has repeatedly called attention to the closely policy and come up with the best possible measures at interlocking relationships between the various forms the national level. Technical assistance with capacity-

16-45113 23/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 building in this area is particularly important for is a reminder of the resilience, bravery and strength that countries in situations of armed conflict. In that regard, some, including her, are capable of. one particularly topical issue is protecting the victims Thanks to the tenacious efforts of civil of human trafficking in armed conflict situations and society — non-governmental organizations, journalists, assisting them with particular regard for their age and religious leaders and survivors — we have seen gender. That means providing social, psychological, progress. Governments, the United Nations and other economic and medical help, as well as access to justice. organizations have elevated attention both in the public The crimes committed by terrorist groups result consciousness and political discourse to the horrors of in the most disgusting kinds of human trafficking. modern slavery and the duty we have to respond. A year We would like to once again strongly condemn the on, I wish we could say that, thanks to advocacy and barbarism of such radicals and affirm our solidarity collective action, the exploitation of human beings in with the victims of terror. We once again urge the times of conflict has abated. international community to jettison its short-term geopolitical interests and unite firmly in the fight Unfortunately, that is not the case. In 2016, children against terrorism under the coordination of the United were still lured by human traffickers from refugee Nations. That is the only way we can defeat terrorism camps, and young boys were forced to pick up guns and in all its manifestations, including human trafficking. become soldiers. In Da’esh-held territory, the depravity of sexual slavery has continued to shock. Thanks to the We reject the insinuations in the Ukrainian courageous work of Special Representative Bangura delegation’s statement as inappropriate, unfounded and and her staff, the United Nations has incontrovertible in some places simply ridiculous. proof that young women are bought, sold and Ms. Mendelson (United States of America): I horrifically abused on a daily basis. The United States would like to begin by expressing our condolences to appreciates the initiative of the United Kingdom in the the friends, family and colleagues of Andrey Karlov pursuit of justice for Da’esh’s victims, and is working and all those affected by yesterday’s attacks. with it and Iraq to explore the best ways to hold Da’esh accountable, including gathering and preserving We would like to thank the Secretary-General, the evidence of its crimes. President of the Government of Spain, Mr. Rajoy Brey, Executive Director Fedotov, Special Representative Although much recent attention has focused on Bangura and, of course, Ms. Ameena Saeed Hasan human trafficking in situations of conflict in the and Ms. Nadia Murad Basee Taha for their dedication Middle East we know that trafficking in conflict to combating trafficking in persons in all its forms. zones is not a new phenomenon and that researchers We particularly appreciate Spain’s leadership on the and activists, myself included, have documented it issue and its initiative in introducing today’s historic in many conflict and post-conflict situations, from resolution 2331 (2016). Bosnia and Kosovo to Nigeria and Afghanistan. Yet despite increased attention and outrage, we still face A year ago, as many today have noted, the Council critical gaps in our understanding of human trafficking met for the first time in its 70-year history to discuss the in the context of conflict and post-conflict situations. issue of human trafficking in conflict (see S/PV.7585). Where we know that trafficking is taking place, our Before that meeting, and again today, some argued that ability to stop the abuse, hold traffickers to account and the subject did not belong in the Security Council and deliver assistance to the victims is often non-existent or was not really a security issue. Yet those of us who woefully inadequate. were in the Chamber a year ago, and again today, will never forget Nadia Murad’s testimony about Da’esh’s That is why the resolution that the Council adopted institutionalization of slavery and sexual violence, today is so important. By articulating the nexus and the nihilistic use of Yazidi women as “trafficked between conflict, sexual violence and trafficking in flesh” to recruit male fighters. It is an honour to know persons, we can take practical action. Together, we can Nadia. Her testimony bears witness in a way that not get Governments, civil society and the United Nations only moves the human spirit but provides the sort of system to begin to systematically monitor for signs of gripping, empirical account of how Da’esh functions trafficking in conflict, to train relevant humanitarian that was heard at the Nuremberg trials. Her very being personnel and all peacekeeping personnel in how to

24/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 recognize and respond to victims, to analyse financial the programme of work of its presidency in the month flows — follow the money — in order to identify where of December. terrorist and armed groups are profiting from the We are grateful to the Secretary-General; the proceeds of human trafficking, and to share information Special Representative of the Secretary-General on and to seek justice for those crimes. on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Zainab Hawa While it is critical to close the information gap — let Bangura; the Executive Director of the United Nations me note that too few people know and understand this Office on Drugs and Crime, Mr. Yury Fedotov; and our issue, including too few inside ministries of two briefers and activists for Yazidi women’s rights, defence — knowledge is but one critical aspect. The Ms. Ameena Saeed Hasan and Ms. Nadia Murad Basee resolution also calls on all members to criminalize Taha, for their poignant testimonies on an issue in which and vigorously prosecute the individuals and groups the Council sometimes needs to hear directly from that facilitate and profit from human trafficking. It the people involved in order to more clearly seize the encourages the Special Representative of the Secretary- importance of taking measures on time and measures General on Sexual Violence in Conflict and the Special that take action and count in combating such practices. Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially Trafficking in human beings is clearly a gross women and children, to brief sanctions committees violation of human rights and an infringement on the on identified trafficking patterns and perpetrators. It dignity and integrity of human beings. This type of provides arms committees with a mandate to sanction crime is on the increase, having become a large source perpetrators, as part of established sanctions regimes. of income for organized crime worldwide, in parallel Within the context of emergency humanitarian with drugs and arms trafficking. The basic approach to operations, resolution 2331 (2016) underscores the countering the phenomenon involves the commitment importance of humanitarian actors identifying and of countries and the international community to providing services to trafficking victims during and after improving the socioeconomic conditions of the most humanitarian crises. Those services must be resourced vulnerable and guaranteeing the fundamental rights by Member States and, again, the humanitarians must of all of their citizens. A collective effort is crucial in be trained to identify possible victims. order to upgrade the fight against trafficking in persons by gathering the support of all nations, communities, Finally, the resolution recognizes that individuals institutions and individuals as an essential prerequisite who are subjected to sexual violence and human to successfully addressing the problem. trafficking at the hands of terrorist groups are also victims of terrorism and should be provided with the Trafficking in human beings in conflict situations same restorative services and support available to leads to sexual slavery, to the trade in women and girls, other such victims. Since 2000 and the adoption of its to forced marriage and to the most appalling human Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the United States rights violations. Those tactics are used by terrorist has been a leader on this issue. The United States is groups such as Al-Shabaab in Somalia, Boko Haram proud to support resolution 2331 (2016). Consistent with in Nigeria, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant in our dedication to ending trafficking in persons in all its Syria, the Lord’s Resistance Army and other armed forms, we look forward to strengthening international and terrorist groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Modern slavery is one of the most significant cooperation in combating trafficking. human rights tragedy of modern times, with multiplying Mr. Martins (Angola): Let me too join other effects in conflict situations, particularly in Africa and colleagues in presenting our most heartfelt condolences in the Middle East. to the Russian Federation for the terrible act that ended The Security Council, as we are doing today the life of the Russian Ambassador to Turkey. through this debate and the adoption of resolution 2331 Let me welcome and thank the President of the (2016), decided to continue sending a strong message Government of Spain, His Excellency Mr. Mariano concerning that egregious violation of human rights, by Rajoy Brey, for presiding over this very important qualifying the trafficking and the issue of enslavement debate, and the Spanish delegation for selecting this as war crimes and crimes against humanity and critical issue of contemporary life as a central theme in broadening the jurisdiction covering that type of

16-45113 25/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 time. In addition, the United Nations system has been trafficking in persons as well as to ensure the physical mobilizing and coordinating efforts to combat modern safety of victims, while ensuring that legal systems day slavery in conflict situations. contain provisions that address the needs and give due compensation of the victims. Trafficking in persons takes place in countries and regions of Africa and the Middle East, Latin America Mr. Aboulatta (Egypt) (spoke in Arabic): I would and the Far East, with people being recruited for a like at the outset to express my heartfelt condolences life of exploitation and slavery in Europe, the United to the delegation of the Russian Federation for the States of America and elsewhere. Moreover, criminal horrific terrorist act that claimed the life of the Russian networks recruit desperate people, including children, ambassador in Ankara. in search of a better life, thereby raising the imperative I would like to congratulate the Spanish delegation need to consider the phenomenon as an issue related on its capable presidency of the Security Council this to international peace and security, as expressed in the month, during which it has made valuable contributions fourth preambular paragraph of the statement by the to the work of the Council, the latest of which is President of the Security Council, adopted 16 December resolution 2331 (2016), adopted today, on trafficking in 2015, which notes that persons in conflict situations. I take this opportunity to “trafficking in persons undermines the rule of express my gratitude to the briefers on their strong and law and contributes to other forms of transnational poignant statements this morning. organized crime, which can exacerbate conflict Human trafficking is a form of contemporary and foster insecurity” (S/PRST/2015/25). slavery and constitutes a grave violation of human Responding to increased awareness of the rights. Countering human trafficking is one of the phenomenon, Angola has adopted legislation related priorities of the Egyptian Government, owing to the to criminalizing trafficking in human beings by challenges posed by Egypt’s strategic location as a developing specific mechanisms to prevent and combat transit State. These challenges have been exacerbated that type of crime. The aim is to step up the fight by the armed conflicts that are taking place in the against trafficking and ensure assistance, recovery, region and which constitute a environment conducive rehabilitation and reintegration for victims. In addition, to human trafficking and exploitation, especially by justice reform, executive programmes and legislative terrorist groups. The situation is further exacerbated by measures have been adopted to support victims. the fact that Egypt is one of the countries of the region Legislation has been updated, including the adoption to receive the largest number of refugees. Egypt was of new penal code provisions to respond to Angola’s therefore one of the first countries to endorse the United current problems in this area. Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Palermo Protocol, in 2004. Egypt has Effective partnerships among agencies responsible also acceded to an initiative for the establishment of the for preventing and combating this scourge are being put Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking. into place, while the Minister for Social Reinsertion has created shelters throughout the country for the victims At the national level, Egypt has established of human trafficking. Angola has acceded to the United an institutional and legal framework that serves Nations Convention against Transnational Organized as a mainstay for the country’s undertaking of its Crime and its Additional Protocol to Prevent, Suppress international obligations. In 2007, Egypt established and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women a national coordinating committee for preventing and and Children, as well as other relevant international countering human trafficking, enacted in 2010 a law conventions and instruments related to the eradication designed to counter human trafficking, and this year of child and forced labour and to slavery. launched its national strategy to this end. In conclusion, further work is needed in all of our At the regional level, Egypt hosted in Sharm El- countries. Without a comprehensive regime to combat Sheikh the second African Union Regional Conference the trafficking in persons and protection of victims, on Human Trafficking and Smuggling in the Horn we need to build on the experience of others who have of Africa and joined the Arab Guiding Law on made the most progress. To this end, Governments Human Trafficking. We would like to commend the must deploy efforts to prevent, punish and eradicate constructive cooperation between Egypt and the United

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Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with sector to break the link between procurement and the regard to capacity-building in relation to preventing consumption of human trafficking. and countering of human trafficking. Egypt reiterates its full support for the United The adoption by the Security Council today of a Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking resolution on human trafficking in conflict situations is in Persons which is considered to be the governing a landmark in the history of the Security Council. We framework for international cooperation in countering would like to shed light on the following points. human trafficking. Egypt is providing all forms of support for the success of the second review of the plan First of all, the resolution should be limited to that will be undertaken next year. trafficking in persons related to conflicts, since the issue of human trafficking falls within the purview of Mr. Ciss (Senegal) (spoke in French): I join others the General Assembly. on this solemn occasion to convey Senegal’s sincere condolences to the Russian Federation following the Second, the United Nations Convention against assassination of its Ambassador in Turkey. This is Transnational Organized Crime and the Palermo also an appropriate opportunity for my delegation to Protocol should serve as the basis for the implementation reaffirm Senegal’s firm condemnation of all forms of of the commitments set forth in the resolution, including terrorism whatever their origin. the definition of human trafficking and its key element of exploitation. The Senegalese delegation welcomes the presence among us this morning of His Excellency Mr. Mariano Third, the international community should redouble Rajoy Brey, President of the Government of the its efforts to shut down all sources of financing for Kingdom of Spain, who is presiding over today’s open terrorist groups, including human trafficking, and use debate, which his country has decided to devote to all international mechanisms available. an important subject, namely, trafficking in persons Fourth, we have to distinguish between the crime in conflict situations. The choice of this essential of sexual exploitation, which is one of the objectives of topic, as well as the unanimous adoption of resolution human trafficking, and sexual violence. 2231 (2016) this morning, are undoubtedly further illustrations of the outstanding work carried out over Fifth, human trafficking crimes, especially in the past two years by the Spanish delegation under the women and girls, are not associated with any religion, leadership of Ambassador Román Oyarzun Marchesi, nationality or civilization. We have to shed light on the whom we congratulate, together with the entire important role that could be played by men of religion Spanish delegation. and traditional leaders. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General Sixth, we must abide by the provisions of the for his briefing and the other briefers this morning for Convention relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951 the quality of their statements, which have increased and its Additional Protocol, which is the governing our understanding of the magnitude and gravity of a framework for implementing the provisions of the scourge that shocks the conscience of everyone. resolution that has been adopted today. Multiple conflicts in various parts of the world Seventh, UNODC has pivotal role to play in the are exacerbating emigration and are even forcing the General Assembly when it comes to human trafficking, displacement of populations compelled to flee their given the experience it has accumulated in this area. homes, exposing them to numerous threats and making In the meantime, it is very important to provide it with them increasingly vulnerable, including to trafficking the financial resources it needs to fulfil its mandate. in persons organized by criminal networks, terrorist In addition, we underline the important role played by groups or armed gangs. The link between migration the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner and human trafficking during conflict was highlighted for Refugees in preventing and fighting human in the 2016 report of the UNODC on the subject, which trafficking as well as by the International Organization states that 60 per cent of victims of trafficking during for Migration. armed conflict are refugees and asylum-seekers who Eighth, we underscore the important role that have fled conflicts in their countries and are simply should be played by the United Nations and the private seeking better prospects.

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Unfortunately, instead of realizing their dreams, this scourge in order to address fresh challenges and the many of these migrants are abducted and sold or held economic and strategic underpinnings of trafficking in captive. The phenomenon becomes an even greater human beings, in particular women and children, in source of concern because these people are often armed conflict. subjected to forced marriage or even sexual slavery, for Allow me to note here that Senegal has ratified women and girls, or to forced labour, for men and boys, virtually all international and regional instruments including in the mining sector, if they have not already on migration and human trafficking. Furthermore, my become slaves or combatants. country has a number of legislative and regulatory texts I should like to echo the words of the Special that address migration and human-trafficking issues, Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially including a specific law pertaining to human trafficking women and children, who said that trafficking in and related practices and victim protection, which was human beings is an umbrella term that comprises a adopted in 2005 and which supplements our criminal range of barbaric practices, one more inhuman than code. This law criminalizes trafficking in persons and the next. The phenomenon is of even greater concern related practices by highlighting the various forms of when the perpetrators are extremist or non-State armed exploitation of vulnerable persons to which it leads terrorist groups who are using the tactic to sow terror and its transnational organized character. It also or as a strategy of war, with the aim of consolidating criminalizes organized illegal migration and trafficking their ideology or power; strengthening their financial in visas or other travel or identification documents. flows; changing the composition of a community; or humiliating a given ethnic or religious group. In order to better ensure the effective suppression of trafficking in persons and migrant trafficking, chapter Even more unacceptable are the various forms of III of the 2005 law confers two types of jurisdiction sexual violence and exploitation, particularly when on Senegalese courts: universal jurisdiction, through they are linked to trafficking in persons in the context article 10, and passive personality jurisdiction, through of armed conflict. This is a centuries-old phenomenon article 11. This legal arsenal is further reinforced by a that unfortunately continues, as we have seen with number of frameworks that have been set up to address respect to the fates of the Chibok schoolgirls, abducted problems related to migrant trafficking and flows. by Boko Haram in Nigeria in 2014, and of the Yazidi For example, we have a centre that offers guidance women and the women sold at the Raqqa market by to children in difficult situations, known as GINDI; Da’esh. In addition, such trafficking is facilitated an intersectoral committee to fight child labour; through social networks. a directorate of correctional education and social Senegal reiterates its firm condemnation of all protection; and a national unit to fight trafficking in forms of sexual violence and exploitation. It believes persons, among others. that in the fight against this scourge, due attention In terms of migration, Senegal’s strategy is based must be given to the rehabilitation of victims and of the primarily on a number of partnership agreements affected communities. We must wage a resolute fight with countries of destination or transit for Senegalese against human trafficking during armed conflict, which migrants. Senegal and France signed such an agreement not only constitutes a grave violation of human rights in September 2006 to jointly manage migratory flows and international humanitarian law but also contributes between the two countries, and we also signed a to instability and to promoting terrorism. memorandum with Spain on 9 November 2007. Senegal Resolution 2331 (2016), which we have adopted has devised an integrated national migration strategy, today and of which Senegal was a sponsor, is surely a which has already shown some technical success, so as step in the right direction. The resolution calls on States to more effectively address this phenomenon. to implement the provisions of resolution 2195 (2014), on We wish to reiterate the importance of prevention, the link between terrorism and transnational organized protection, reintegration and accountability in our crime. It is also key to implement the United Nations tools to fight all of the problems facing humankind. Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Cooperation with traditional and religious leaders can We also call for a recasting of the global debate on play a significant role in setting up a communications the financing of violent extremism. We must combat strategy to deconstruct and counter the terrorist narrative.

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Finally, I should like to recall that parties to Especially Women and Children, supplementing the conflict bear the responsibility, with the support of United Nations Convention against Transnational the international community, to put an end to sexual Organized Crime, enables international legal violence in armed conflict, through a number of efforts, cooperation and bolsters common efforts to prevent, including in the areas of prevention, assistance and punish and investigate this offence. protection. Beyond that, we must also deter, detect and Similarly, full compliance with the 2030 Agenda for put an end to human trafficking, particularly by violent Sustainable Development constitutes another essential extremist groups, as highlighted in the presidential tool to attack the structural factors that contribute to statement on trafficking in persons adopted in trafficking, such as extreme poverty, social exclusion, December 2015 (S/PRST/2015/25). discrimination and the lack of opportunities. Pursuant Human trafficking during armed conflict poses to Goal 16 of the 2030 Agenda, we must put a stop to a threat to stability, peacekeeping and national illicit financial flows and prevent organized crime and reconstruction. We must therefore work together to terrorist groups from enriching themselves. We can put an end to these heinous practices, which will be no longer allow the trafficking of women and girls to possible only if we all make a commitment to that end. finance criminal activity. The President (spoke in Spanish): I wish to Finally, we must strengthen the multilateral remind speakers that they should limit their statements framework with national strategies and concrete to no more than four minutes in order to enable the measures, with an emphasis on protecting and assisting Council to carry out its work expeditiously. The victims. For that purpose, my country has taken three presidency will use the flashing lights on the collars steps. First, we have undertaken legal and institutional of their microphones to prompt speakers to bring their reforms to better address human trafficking in an effort remarks to a close. Delegations with lengthy statements to identify, investigate and punish its perpetrators and are kindly requested to circulate the texts thereof in prevent the commission of this crime. In the past seven writing or to upload them to PaperSmart and deliver a years, 733 people were sentenced in Mexico. Secondly, condensed version when speaking in the Chamber. we have set up and have put in motion a national commission on human trafficking to benefit from the I now give the floor to the representative of Mexico. joint efforts of Government authorities, civil society Ms. Jáquez Huacuja (Mexico) (spoke in Spanish): and the academic sector. Thirdly, we have implemented While the General Assembly has exhaustively addressed a national detection instrument, in collaboration human trafficking, we commend the Security Council with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for its efforts to delve into the subject. It is one of the (UNODC), in order to be able to benefit from timely most shocking challenges facing the international and reliable information on the trend in Mexico. We community and one that affects all regions of the world, currently benefit from the technical assistance of without exception, since every country is, or could UNODC in a national campaign to combat this crime become, the origin, transit or destination country for among vulnerable groups. victims of this threat. We must emphatically condemn The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the the fact that, in armed conflict, refugees, displaced floor to the representative of Colombia. persons and immigrants — particularly women and girls — are consistently extremely vulnerable to human Ms. Mejía Vélez (Colombia) (spoke in Spanish): trafficking, in addition to frequently being victims of I offer my condolences and those of my Government abduction, sexual violence and abuse. to the people of Germany, Turkey and Russia for yesterday’s terrorist attacks. There is no justification The 2016 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, for terrorism. issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, reflects the dismal overall picture of human This debate and resolution 2331 (2016), adopted this trafficking, which continues to claim many victims morning, as Ms. Nadia Murad Basee Taha reminded every day. The findings of that report must form the us in her moving briefing, takes place 12 months basis of our strategies, programmes and plans for after the Security Council’s first debate on this item preventing and combating this scourge. The Protocol to (see S/PV.7585), convened by the United States. The Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, holding of this meeting reflects the importance that the

16-45113 29/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 international community attaches to the issue, but it also Mr. Braun (Germany): At the outset, allow me to lays bare the tremendous challenges we still face. As express my thanks to His Excellency the President of obvious as it may sound, human trafficking is a crime, the Government of Spain, in his capacity of President of tragic and brutal in its disproportionate effects on the the Security Council, for his expression of condolences most vulnerable: women and girls, migrants, refugees following yesterday’s terrorist attack in the German and internally displaced persons. If any conclusion can capital, Berlin. I would also like to thank the members be reached today, it is that, as the Secretary-General of the Council for their statements today of solidarity said, prevention must be one of our priorities. with my country. I wish to take this opportunity to thank all other Member States and colleagues who have Preventive strategies, such as actions to prevent sent messages of sympathy and solidarity, which are terrorism and violent extremism, cannot be developed much appreciated. in isolation. We are facing a phenomenon that requires joint, collaborative responses based on international On the topic of this meeting, while aligning myself cooperation, with full respect for human rights and with the statement to be made by the observer of the European Union, I would like to thank Spain for in the framework of agreements on the protection of initiating this debate, and the briefers for their input civilians, and must be supported by civil society. and their substantive reports. With a long internal conflict like ours, we in Germany co-sponsored resolution 2331 (2016), just Colombia have understood that women and girls play adopted. I would like to underscore three aspects in a fundamental and proactive role in the prevention and particular resolution of conflicts, as well as in building stable and lasting peace. That is why we must ensure their First, armed conflict often enables or aggravates rights in a safe and supportive environment. In the the crime of human trafficking through the breakdown peace agreement that is starting to be implemented, of law and order, weakened or non-existing Government with the support of the Security Council, guaranteeing structures and incresing levels of violence, for example. the rights of women and girls has become a common Human trafficking can constitute a war crime and purpose in the work of all the institutions that have been is often connected to sexual violence as a method collaborating and incorporating a gender perspective of warfare against civilians. Displaced persons are into their various programmes. Legislation, particularly particularly vulnerable and prone to becoming the prey of criminals specializing in human trafficking for law No. 1719 of 2014, condemns and specifically labour or sexual exploitation. It is a shame that civilian addresses the crime of human trafficking committed populations are viewed by some armed groups, such as during armed conflict. the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, as a resource In 2016, the Secretary-General, in his report or commodity to be trafficked, thereby lining their on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2016/361), pockets and ultimately prolonging conflicts. Going underscored that, of all peace processes referred to in after the proceeds of human trafficking will lead us the report, only Colombia has systematically addressed to those commissioning these crimes. We therefore gender issues, pursuant to resolution 1325 (2000) and welcome that the Monitoring Team is mandated to resolution 1820 (2008). That is especially true regarding investigate the cross-cutting issue of human trafficking reparations for suffering, particularly providing for in its threat assessments. compensation and restitution, but also with regard to Secondly, I would like to underscore the importance ensuring non-recidivism and to preventive measures, of one of the questions that you, Mr. President, have notably by creating and promoting a culture free of all raised in the concept note (S/2016/1031, annex) for this forms of violence and discrimination, in keeping with debate, namely, the risk of procurement and supply international obligations. chains contributing to trafficking in persons. Much of what we all consume every day has come a long way Colombia is facing an enormous challenge, but it will and has gone through many hands. All of us have a continue to make strides towards our common purpose. responsibility to make sure that what we enjoy is not the The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the end product of the abuse of slave labour and victims of floor to the representative of Germany. human trafficking. Germany has placed this issue at the

30/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 top of the agenda of the Organization for Security and on Drugs and Crime Global Report on Trafficking in Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) during its chairmanship Persons, should be viewed as an important message in 2016, hosting a conference in Berlin on the issue in by the United Nations and its States Member that September. In close collaboration with the OSCE’s trafficking in persons will not be tolerated under any coordinator, we strengthen the role of the OSCE as circumstances and should be decisively dealt with. mediator and pioneer for an internationally coordinated Today’s debate can enrich the General Assembly’s high- approach against human trafficking. level meeting planned for October 2017 to review the progress achieved in the implementation of the United Thirdly, people falling prey to human trafficking in conflict are already among the most vulnerable in Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking their societies. Those who reach a safe destination often in Persons. We also underline the leading role of the have lost all their belongings. Their bodies and souls General Assembly in considering this subject. have endured unspeakable horrors. Minors lose their Given the transborder nature of the crime of parents and are in particular need of responsible care. trafficking, coordination and cooperation at the The risks of vulnerable persons becoming victims of international level are necessary for combating it. The traffickers can be reduced by establishing legal and safe international community has to further strengthen routes. Resettlement and relocation programmes are a and impose effective measures to prevent, combat and good means to achieve that. Germany’s programme for eliminate all forms of trafficking in persons. To that Yazidi refugees from Iraq, for example, has reached end, demand for trafficking victims should be addressed a 1,000 victims of the terrorism of the Islamic State and suppressed, and protection for victims should be in Iraq and the Levant. The victims and their families ensured, particularly for women and children, who are have found a safe refuge in Germany. mostly subject to forced labour, exploitation, violence The group’s most recognized face and their and sexual abuse. loudest voice is Ms. Nadia Murad Basee Taha, the In combating trafficking in persons, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Goodwill one cannot overlook the root causes of the Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human phenomenon — poverty, underdevelopment, Trafficking and winner of the Sakharov Prize of the unemployment, lack of socioeconomic opportunities European Parliament. I am glad to see that Ms. Taha and lack of security, especially in conflict situations, is present in the Chamber. She speaks out against as well as instability caused by different internal and the horrors the people who endured and calls for the external factors, including foreign occupation, foreign dignified treatment to which every victim of human intervention and regime-change policies. All those trafficking is entitled. Let us not forget: every bit of elements continue to make people victims of human help for the victims is also one step ahead in the long trafficking. With regard to today’s debate, an increasing struggle against human trafficking. number of armed conflicts and the resulting mass Let us spare no national or international effort to movements of people have caused an alarming situation. drain the swamp of human trafficking, both in conflict The indecisiveness of the world community in situations and beyond. Let us step up efforts to address fighting terrorists such as Da’esh and the Al-Nusra conflict and instability as key push factors for human Front in Iraq and Syria or Boko Haram in Africa, due trafficking and migration. Human trafficking is an to narrowly defined geopolitical gains, has proved to abuse of the human rights of the victims. Let us be be destructive in the global fight against trafficking in mindful of the victims’ human rights at every stage of persons. The abhorrent reports of sexual enslavement their horrific journeys. of innocent women and girls and other atrocities The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the committed by those criminals are the tragedies of our floor to the representative of the Islamic Republic age and of the twenty-first century. Those Governments of Iran. and individuals that are supporting those criminals financially, logistically or ideologically should be held Mr. Khoshroo (Islamic Republic of Iran): I accountable and brought to justice. would like to express my appreciation to Spain for organizing this debate. Its convening, which coincides In that regard, takfiri ideologies that justify such with the official launch of the United Nations Office abhorrent acts are to be blamed first, as they provide

16-45113 31/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 the necessary mental grounds. The sad trafficking that regard, we welcome the appointment of Ms. Nadia of women and girls in the Middle East and Africa by Murad Basee Taha as Goodwill Ambassador for terrorist groups could only have happened within such the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking. By horrendous mindsets. Such criminality begins in the courageously speaking out and fighting for those who minds of men, and it is in the minds of men that we can have endured these unlawful and degrading actions, she fight them. serves as an example for other victims and inspiration for us all. The Islamic Republic of Iran, at the crossroads of drug trafficking, has first-hand experiences on the The international community can do much more to deadly nexus that could be forged between human combat this scourge. Closer cooperation among States trafficking networks and other criminal activities, and international agencies can help rescue victims including money-laundering, prostitution, slavery and bring traffickers to justice. We must redouble our and drug trafficking. It is therefore essential that the efforts to fulfil the Sustainable Developments Goals international community constantly bear in mind the pertaining to the issue. We must equally acknowledge existence of links between different forms of criminal that long-term solutions can arise only from multilateral activities and trafficking in persons. We prefer to approaches to peace and security that set dialogue address them in an integrated manner. and mediation as priorities and place vulnerable The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the populations at the centre of concern. Insufficient floor to the representative of Brazil. regard and resources for sustaining peace in crisis or post-conflict situations, as well as an ill-conceived bias Mr. Vieira (Brazil) (spoke in Spanish): I wish to for military solutions, help fuel rather than mitigate the begin by thanking Spain for organizing this open debate instability behind the current movements of refugees and by thanking Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the and migrants. Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Special Representative of the Although human trafficking occurs in scenarios Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict for plagued by armed conflict, there are no intrinsic or their briefings. automatic linkages between those two phenomena. As stated in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2016/949), (spoke in English) obviously the interrelationship between them may arise We would also like to offer our deepest condolences under specific circumstances, but it should in no way be to the Russian Federation following the assassination of deemed universal. It is important to acknowledge that Ambassador Andrey Karlov in Ankara yesterday. Brazil human trafficking is also regrettably taking place in strongly condemns all acts of terrorism, regardless of situations that do not constitute a threat to international their motivation. peace and security, such as situations of displacement following natural disasters. The remedies to overcome Human trafficking is among the most despicable this scourge outside the context of conflict situations crimes known to humankind, as it affects the most might be different from those to be applied in armed vulnerable, such as migrants and internally displaced conflicts. persons, especially women and girls. When committed in conflict situations, human trafficking might even For the United Nations to effectively address human amount to a war crime. Brazil is particularly appalled trafficking in all its forms, the Security Council should by the incidents of human trafficking committed by be mindful of the mandate and technical expertise of the the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant, Boko Haram General Assembly and of the Human Rights Council, as and other terrorist organizations, which are frequently well as of the crucial role of the United Nations Office associated with sexual enslavement. on Drugs and Crime in this realm. Trafficked persons are treated as objects, not In any case, the international community should as human beings. They are often subject to organ exercise the utmost caution not to confuse the harvesting, sexual exploitation, domestic service and criminalization of trafficking in persons with the forced marriages. Brazil supports efforts aimed at criminalization of migration itself. Our actions should recovering the dignity of the victims of this heinous aim at protecting the rights of, and providing assistance crime and ensuring that they have access to justice.In to, those people who are forced to leave their homes and

32/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 fall prey to human traffickers, so as not to victimize and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia them yet again. In that context, Brazil wishes to recall a and Herzegovina; as well as Ukraine, the Republic fundamental assertion made by the Special Rapporteur of Moldova and Georgia, align themselves with on the promotion and protection of human rights and this statement. fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism in We would like to congratulate Spain on convening his most recent report, to the effect that this open ministerial debate, as well as to commend its “push-back operations, criminalized irregular keen commitment to addressing trafficking in human migration and abandoned pledges to accept refugees beings in conflict throughout its mandate as a member ... contribute to the establishment of chaotic and of the Security Council. This may mark the end of covert movements of people, including through Spain’s term, but it also marks a beginning in this area. trafficking, which might ultimately assist those We must build on the momentum. intent on committing acts of terrorism.” (A/71/384, Trafficking in human beings is a threat to human para. 11) and national security, peace, human rights, democratic The international community has a responsibility governance, the rule of law and socioeconomic to act to find a solution to the refugee crisis. It is development. Trafficking in human beings is a grave incoherent to defend the responsibility to protect and violation of human dignity, specifically prohibited the protection of civilians all the while turning our under article 5 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights backs on those fleeing conflict and persecution. Brazil of the European Union. It is also a form of serious also reiterates that the criminalization of irregular transnational organized crime, with huge human social migration is unacceptable, since it ultimately fuels and economic costs. It is driven by the demand for all human trafficking and disrespect for the fundamental forms of exploitation and by very high profits, in both rights of migrants. As my country’s experience in legal and illegal economies, resulting in a complex granting humanitarian visas for Haitians since 2012 has interplay between supply and demand that must be shown, one of the most effective means of dismanting addressed if the crime is to be eradicated. criminal human trafficking networks is by providing We remain strongly committed to eradicating regular and safe ways of entry for those forced to move. trafficking in human beings, which requires a Let us all work together towards ensuring that transnational response. The United Nations provides human trafficking can be brought to a definitive end an excellent forum for that. The European Union has and that its victims can resume their lives with dignity placed multilateralism at the core of its new Global and, most of all, hope. Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy. We stand behind the commitments in the New York Declaration The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give for Refugees and Migrants to combat human trafficking. the floor to Ms. Myria Vassiliadou, Anti-Trafficking Coordinator of the European Union. We welcome the reports of the Secretary-General on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2016/361and Ms. Vassiliadou: I thank the Secretary-General, S/2016/361/Rev.1) and on the implementation Mr. Ban Ki-moon; the Executive Director of the of measures to counter trafficking in persons United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), (S/2016/949). We especially note the nexus between Mr. Yury Fedotov; the Special Representative of the conflict- and post-conflict-related sexual violence Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and human trafficking. In that context, trafficking Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura; the civilian activist for takes many despicable forms, from sexual slavery to Yazidi women’s rights, Ms. Ameena Saeed Hasan; and labour exploitation or organ removal. The list is long the Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors and gruesome. We are concerned by the references to of Human Trafficking, Ms. Nadia Murad Basee Taha, armed groups that regard the civilian population as a for their briefings. resource to be exploited, viewing women’s sexuality and fertility as commodities to be trafficked and traded I speak on behalf of the European Union (EU) and as part of the political economy of war. its member States. The candidate countries Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Importantly, trafficking is gender-specific. Serbia and Albania; the country of the Stabilization The most recent EU data show that trafficking for

16-45113 33/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 the purpose of sexual exploitation is still the most It is well known that Da’esh uses sexual violence widespread form and that the majority of its victims systematically to fund its operations. That includes are women and girls. In that respect, we call for a more kidnapping for ransom and the sale of women and gender-specific, targeted approach in all actions against girls through human trafficking and slave markets. We trafficking. recognize that instability creates an ideal environment for the criminal activities of traffickers. We are therefore It is clear that we must focus on the prevention actively supporting all efforts led by the United Nations of trafficking in human beings in all its forms. Any to bring an end to the political and security crises in Syria other approach will come too late for the victims, as and Libya. We need to strengthen our comprehensive we have heard today. In that connection, ensuring policies and strategies aimed at empowering the role of accountability for the perpetrators is essential. We women in society, and better understand their specific cannot accept a culture of impunity. By cracking down needs and their role in the fight against terrorism and on the profits generated, we can strike a decisive blow. violent extremism. Measures need to be taken in order In order to do so, we must follow the financial trails to prevent and address the use of new technologies as and use all available investigative tools to prosecute the tools for recruiting victims of trafficking, including in perpetrators and bring them to justice. conflict areas and by terrorist groups. By upholding and promoting international We emphasize the significant advancement in standards, as enshrined in the United Nations international justice made by the International Criminal Convention against Transnational Organized Crime Court, as well as by non-permanent international and its Protocols, in the Convention on the Elimination criminal tribunals, in combating sexual violence of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the in conflict. Nevertheless, we bear in mind that the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court is other international legal instruments, we contribute to complementary to the jurisdiction of States and that ensuring strong foundations for the rule of law. We are the primary responsibility for bringing perpetrators working closely with UNODC in that respect via joint to justice resides with States. At the national level, programmes. One such action is the joint European accountability and transitional justice mechanisms are Union-UNODC Global Action to Prevent and Address also key. Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants, launched in January in partnership with the International The EU has built an ambitious, gender-specific Organization for Migration and UNICEF, as mentioned and comprehensive legal and policy framework to in the report (S/2016/949) of the Secretary-General. combat trafficking in human beings. Anti-trafficking actions also form a key part of our external policies and We remain committed to the implementation of funding. The EU will continue to develop partnerships the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual to address trafficking in human beings. exploitation and abuse, as defined in the Secretary- General’s Bulletin (ST/SGB/2003/13) on special There is a market for trafficked human merchandise. measures for protection from sexual exploitation and We need to put an end to traffickers’ impunity. abuse. Effectively preventing this heinous crime necessitates reducing the demand and incentives for the trafficking While recognizing that we are faced with human of human beings. Accountability and collective efforts displacement on the largest scale in human history, are needed to put an end to this terrible crime. we acknowledge that the issue of human mobility goes A full version of my statement has been submitted beyond any one crisis. We live in a world of 7 billion to the Secretariat. people, with demographic imbalances and growing inequalities. The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the floor to the representative of Hungary. The European Union is honouring its responsibilities. Since 2015, our vessels have saved thousands of people Ms. Bogyay (Hungary): At the outset, I convey in the Mediterranean Sea. Thanks to a mandate from condolences on behalf of my country and myself to the the Security Council, Operation Sophia is disrupting families of the victims of the recent horrible terrorist traffickers’ and smugglers’ networks. attacks and the assassination.

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I thank Spain for convening this very important and Crime (UNODC), the International Organization Security Council open debate. Trafficking in persons in for Migration, the Office of the United Nations High conflict situations is still a new matter for the Council. Commissioner for Refugees, the International Labour We would also like to congratulate Spain for initiating Organization, UNICEF and UN-Women — will also the adoption of today’s historic resolution 2331 (2016), need to be improved. The new Secretary-General will on this extremely important topic. Hungary was happy need to play a key role in that regard. to co-sponsor the resolution. Seventh, we need more, and more reliable, data We are deeply troubled that trafficking in on the subject. In that regard, Hungary welcomes persons — often but not only for sexual purposes — has the launch of the 2016 UNODC Global Report on become a recurring feature and by-product of armed Trafficking in Persons. conflicts. In conflict and post-conflict situations, the I would like to thank the briefers for their accounts, level of insecurity, as well as the breakdown in family because they were so important and moving to all of us: and community structures and other safety nets, the Secretary-General; Mr. Yury Fedotov, Executive increases the exposure of women, men, girls and boys Director of UNODC; the Special Representative of the to diverse forms of human exploitation. In order to fight Secretary-General, Ms. Zainab Bangura; and the two trafficking in persons in situations of conflict more very important activists who have brought this matter effectively, Hungary proposes the following. to life for the Council. Hungary is ready to participate First, the United Nations and its States Members actively in discussions and activities to strengthen the need to play a more active, leading role in the fight response of the United Nations to this global threat. against human trafficking and other forms of modern The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the slavery. We encourage the incoming Secretary-General floor to the representative of Italy. to place the fight against this global threat, which affects tens of millions of people, at the top of his agenda. Mr. Cardi (Italy): Italy aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union Second, it is essential to ratify and effectively and wishes to add the following remarks in its national implement the relevant international instruments, capacity, which are also supported by the Kingdom of such as the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish the Netherlands, in the light of our cooperation related Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and to the upcoming split mandate on the Security Council Children, supplementing the Convention against for 2017-2018. Transnational Organized Crime, and the Protocol of 2014 to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930. More than 350,000 people crossed the Mediterranean Sea in 2016; nearly 5,000 died or disappeared in the Third, strong prevention and protection efforts are crossing. Italy remains committed to saving lives at sea urgently required in order to ensure that those impacted and has rescued more than 350,000 people since 2014, by conflict situations do not become vulnerable while actively working to disrupt the business model of to traffickers. traffickers. Italy has provided the bulk of the vessels for Fourth, accountability for trafficking in persons in the European Union’s Operation Sophia. conflict is essential. While in specific circumstances Human trafficking, particularly in conflict the International Criminal Court and other international situations, targets the most vulnerable, including women accountability mechanisms could, and should, play an and children, who often belong to religious minorities. important role, we must not forget that the primary It must be addressed through a comprehensive approach responsibility for bringing those responsible to justice at the national, regional and international levels. lies with States. At the national level, Italy is focused on prevention, Fifth, Hungary supports the inclusion of victim protection, anti-discrimination measures, perpetrators of trafficking in persons in United Nations strengthened law enforcement and judicial cooperation. and unilateral sanctions. Our legal framework is victim-centred, human-rights Sixth, Hungary is also of the view that coordination oriented and gender- and child-sensitive. In February, and cooperation among all relevant United Nations we approved a national action plan on combating entities — including the United Nations Office on Drugs trafficking in human beings.

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At the international level, Italy promotes a holistic to brief the sanctions committees about trafficking and approach that focuses on addressing the root causes, abuses committed against women and children. finding political solutions to international crises, Thirdly, we underscore the importance of training promoting international cooperation and devising for United Nations personnel in conflict situations. accountability measures. Peacekeepers and police units must be trained to Accountability is fundamental. Italy is committed rapidly identify situations where there is a heightened to bringing to justice individuals proved guilty of such risk of trafficking, especially that involving the most crimes. Thanks to victims’ identifications and the vulnerable individuals. In that regard, I underscore testimonies of survivors, a week ago Italian authorities our expertise in holding training courses for police convicted the culprits responsible for a shipwreck off units, with a focus on the protection of human rights the coast of Libya in April 2015, which caused more and gender-based violence. So far, we have trained than 700 deaths. The perpetrators were sentenced to 18 more than 10,000 units at the Centre of Excellence for years in prison. Stability Forces Units in Vicenza. Italy is also committed to the full implementation Lastly, with regard to financial flows from of the United Nations Convention against Transnational trafficking, existing mechanisms to curb money- Organized Crime, signed in Palermo, and its Protocols, laundering and terrorism financing can play an including the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and important role in monitoring migration routes and in Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and pre-empting trafficking, from the outset of conflicts Children, which are key to bolstering international and regional crises. That, in our view, would improve cooperation. We urge their universal ratification our capacity to identify victims, save their lives and and implementation. provide them with effective assistance. Italy welcomes the greater involvement on the The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the part of the Security Council in this topic. The trends floor to the representative of Liechtenstein. reported by the Secretary-General in his report (S/2016/949) and the reports of the United Nations Mr. Wenaweser (Liechtenstein): I have the honour Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the International to speak today on behalf of Australia and Switzerland, Organization for Migration and the Special Rapporteur as well as on behalf of my own country. on trafficking in persons all highlight the security Modern slavery and human trafficking are both implications of the issue. We believe that the time is causes and symptoms of instability and conflicts and right to step up the Security Council’s engagement in a threat to both development and peace and security. the following directions. Trafficking in persons is a human rights violation and First, Italy will follow up on the Spanish initiative can constitute a war crime, a crime against humanity to keep the Security Council alert as to the link between or even genocide. Modern slavery, often resulting from human trafficking and violations of human rights. We trafficking, exists currently on an unprecedented scale. will encourage efforts by the Council to condemn It undermines the humanity of its victims. The Global the exploitation of women and children, and we will Slavery Index estimates that 45 million people live in support its ability to look into the connections with conditions that qualify as modern slavery, more than transnational organized crime and terrorism. ever before, and in spite of the absolute prohibition of slavery under international law. Every single country is Secondly, we look forward to the Secretary- affected, which is why it is our joint responsibility to General’s recommendations on strengthening synergies put an end to such crimes. among United Nations agencies and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual The 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development Violence in Conflict and the Special Representative provides us with a new platform to address those of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed issues. Slavery and trafficking are mentioned in 3 Conflict. As foreseen in resolution 2331 (2016), which of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, an apt was adopted today and which we co-sponsored, we reflection of their cross-cutting nature. Fighting human believe that the Security Council should take advantage trafficking is not just a law-enforcement challenge, it is of the opportunity for the two Special Representatives a prerequisite for sustainable development and human

36/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 rights protection. Work on that topic must therefore be Although human trafficking affects a cross-section pursued with resolve in the General Assembly. of the population, some groups are more vulnerable to it than others. Sexual and gender-based violence are Modern slavery and human trafficking represent exacerbated in armed conflict. Trafficking in situations one of the biggest human rights scandals of our time, of armed conflict has a particular impact on women and but are also among the most lucrative business models girls. Reports from refugees and migrants arriving in of organized crime, as they help to fund armed conflict. Europe suggest that a vast majority of women and girls Forced labour and human trafficking is a $150 billion have been sexually exploited during their flight from industry; that is more than the annual gross domestic product of 70 per cent of the States Members of the conflict. That is something we need to keep in mind in Organization. One way of combating such crimes is our humanitarian response, as well as in our migration to follow the money — in other words, to disrupt the and human rights policies. financial flows associated with it. The involvement We need to strengthen our own capabilities of financial institutions, in particular financial to identify victims and exploitation in migration intelligence units, is key in such efforts. We welcome movements and ensure that victims receive appropriate the fact that resolution 2331 (2016) refers to the need assistance and remedy. We should also, individually to use existing criminal laws, including anti-money- and collectively, assist and protect those vulnerable to, laundering, anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws, to or victimized by, human trafficking and make sure that investigate, disrupt and dismantle trafficking networks. victims in conflict are not prosecuted or punished for We are committed to exploring ways to follow up by their experience. It is important to note that, without using the expertise of our national systems. identification and recognition as victims, their access The Council can also play an important role by to reparations once transitional justice measures are addressing the protection gap in existing international taken is seriously hampered. response mechanisms. The humanitarian cluster We wish to highlight that men and boys should be system in particular does not address several key areas. guaranteed the same access to reparations and services. Anti-trafficking strategies should be included in the Recent studies on sexual violence against men and boys planning for responses to conflict and humanitarian suggest that they also suffer from a non-recognition crises. The Council should also encourage the relevant of sexual violence committed against them as sexual United Nations system entities to carry out targeted violence. That wrong needs to be corrected. information campaigns to protect civilians vulnerable to trafficking. The resolution adopted today is a good start. We welcome in particular its gender-inclusive language, but Modern slavery prevails with widespread also believe that some paragraphs could have profited impunity. An overwhelming number of cases are never from further strengthening — for example, with regard prosecuted, even though the duty to prevent and punish to the important role played by the Financial Action slavery is an erga omnes obligation of all States. That Task Force and regional bodies of that type. We look large impunity gap has created the space for human forward to a consistent political commitment from the trafficking and modern slavery to thrive. There is a Council and remain committed ourselves to our efforts clear need for better cooperation among States aimed at to eradicate this human tragedy. prosecuting perpetrators of such crimes, which are often transnational. The Palermo Anti-Trafficking Protocol The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the in particular can make an important contribution to floor to the representative of India. that end, and we hope that it will be universally ratified Mr. Lal (India): We thank the delegation of Spain soon. Where national judiciaries have failed, there is a for organizing this open debate and for sharing its clear case for involving and making use of international informative concept note (S/2016/1031, annex). We criminal justice — for example, the International appreciate the remarks made by the President of the Criminal Court. Given the universal nature of the Government of Spain and by the Secretary-General and phenomenon of modern slavery, the Court can play a the other briefers. dual role: creating incentives for States to investigate and prosecute, and doing so itself where the impunity Trafficking in persons across borders has been a gap persists. cause for concern for some time. The United Nations

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Convention against Transnational Organized Crime efforts and use the existing tools and mechanisms was adopted by the General Assembly (resolution 55/25) to counter terrorist-financing, including sanctions and entered into force 13 years ago. That Convention regimes, more effectively in that regard. and its subsequent Protocols represent important steps Situations of armed conflict provide fertile ground taken by the international community in its collective for trafficking in persons, in particular those belonging fight against transnational organized crime. to vulnerable groups such as women, children and The Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking refugees. They are victims of sexual slavery and forced in Persons, which the General Assembly adopted labour, including in the mining sector or as fighters. by consensus in 2010 (resolution 64/293), further In recent times, the heinous actions of terrorist groups, recognized the global scale of the problem and outlines such as Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and Boko the coordinated approach required to deal with it. The Haram, specifically target vulnerable groups, such as Plan of Action reaffirms the central role of the United women and children, in situations of armed conflict as Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the a deliberate tactic of war, adding another even more global efforts to deal with the issue. It also recognizes serious dimension to such crimes. Such terrorist groups the work being carried out by other United Nations continue to act with impunity. entities, such as the International Organization for Migration, the International Labour Organization, the The primary focus of the Security Council is to United Nations Children’s Fund and the Office of the address threats to international peace and security. High Commissioner for Human Rights. Trafficking in While an increased focus on addressing trafficking persons is also recognized as a challenge to be overcome in persons and its linkages to terrorism and armed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. conflicts is timely, we must strengthen international collaboration so as to better utilize the various India is a signatory to the Convention against existing mechanisms, including through more effective Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols and coordination of the various entities of the United has resolutely addressed various aspects concerning Nations. Those United Nations entities and mechanisms trafficking in persons through a series of laws and take a more holistic approach that seeks to address the other measures. Article 23 of the Indian Constitution legal, social and economic contexts of the problem. They specifically addresses the issue. As part of the provide strong legal and practical frameworks that can continuing efforts to strengthen the relevant legal enable and facilitate joint responses against trafficking frameworks within India, India unveiled, earlier this that involves multiple jurisdictions. Their autonomy of year, a comprehensive draft law aimed at the prevention decision-making needs to be further strengthened. of and protection from the trafficking in persons and the rehabilitation of trafficked persons. The draft While the Security Council should retain its focus legislation aims to unify our existing anti-trafficking on situations of armed conflict, the broader mechanisms laws and prioritize the needs of victims and protect should be more fully utilized to strengthen national them. India continues to work closely with United capacity-building, including in criminal-justice Nations agencies, including United Nations Women capacities and regulatory frameworks in banking and and UNODC, on related issues. India has entered into financial institutions, so as to disrupt illicit financial various agreements with other countries to combat such flows and improve research and analysis, as well crimes. India also works closely with its neighbours as regional and inter-regional cooperation for the to implement the 2002 South Asian Association for protection of victims. Regional Cooperation Convention on that issue. India remains committed to working with the The nexus between organized traffickers and international community in our joint endeavour to terrorist networks through illicit financial linkages eliminate the global challenge of trafficking in persons, is a dangerous phenomenon. The Secretary-General’s including in situations of armed conflict. report (S/2016/949) notes the low rates of conviction The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the for crimes of trafficking across countries: that needs floor to the representative of Belgium. to change. The persistence of transnational organized crime in that area and its links with terrorist networks Mr. Pecsteen de Buytswerve (Belgium): I am represent a challenge that requires us to step up our pleased to take the floor on behalf of Argentina, the

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Netherlands, Slovenia and my own country, Belgium. such crimes will have to rely heavily on full practical First of all, we thank Spain and the Security Council for and judicial cooperation from other States to be organizing this ministerial open debate on trafficking truly effective. However, an increasing number of in persons in conflict situations. States share the opinion of practitioners and legal experts from all regions of the world that the current Human trafficking is not simply an ordinary category international procedural legal framework for mutual of crime with transnational dimensions but indubitably legal assistance and extradition for such international ranks as one of the most serious crimes of concern crimes is incomplete and outdated. They believe that to the international community as a whole. In recent the most efficient and practical way to fill that gap is to years and in too many parts of the world, widespread open negotiations for a new multilateral instrument for conflict-related sexual violence, enslavement and international cooperation. other acts of human trafficking have been reported. This morning we heard the deeply moving testimonies For that reason, Argentina, Belgium, Slovenia and of two representatives of the victims of those crimes. the Netherlands have taken the initiative to promote Human trafficking nowadays represents the world’s negotiations on a multilateral treaty for mutual legal fastest-growing criminal industry. assistance and extradition for domestic prosecution of the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity We welcome the reports of the Secretary-General and war crimes. Such a treaty would serve as a tool on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2016/361) and on to facilitate better practical cooperation between States the implementation of measures to counter trafficking investigating and prosecuting such crimes, which in persons (S/2016/949). would, in turn, enable them to both comply with their In this brief intervention, we wish to give some international obligations and empower their national elements of an answer to two of the main questions judiciaries. Ensuring accountability for perpetrators asked in the concept note (S/2016/1031, annex), engaging in human trafficking is one of the most including what Members States can do to better prevent effective ways to combat and prevent such odious acts. and combat trafficking in persons, particularly as that Looking forward, we believe that the most concrete relates to conflict-related sexual violence, and how we and effective way for Member States to act against can ensure the accountability of those who engage in that type of crime would be to join the permanent trafficking in persons in conflict situations. declaration in support of the opening of negotiations on Enslavement and conflict-related sexual violence such a procedural multilateral treaty, and we encourage are forbidden by a number of treaties and by customary our colleagues here to do so. international law. Moreover, in addition to the statutes The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the and decisions of various international criminal courts floor to the representative of Austria. and tribunals, most States Members of the United Nations, in their national legal frameworks, consider Mr. Kickert (Austria): Austria aligns itself with enslavement, conflict-related sexual violence and other the statement delivered earlier by the observer of the acts that derive from human trafficking in conflict European Union. situations to amount to crimes against humanity and war We also co-sponsored resolution 2331 (2016), crimes. At this point, it is worth recalling that in most adopted by the Security Council earlier today. We cases, States have the jurisdiction to prosecute such welcome the fact that the resolution — alongside crimes, either because the crimes happened fully or in prevention and prosecution — also puts a strong part in their territory or because they have jurisdiction focus on supporting victims in their recovery and in over the victim or over the perpetrator. The primary overcoming traumatization and stigmatization, or, as responsibility to prosecute lies, therefore, with States. the Secretary-General said this morning, “in helping Very often, that proves to be a challenging task. victims heal and become agents of change”. In conflict Owing to the transnational nature of this type of and post-conflict settings, the risk that civilians crimes, suspects and witnesses, evidence and assets can become victims of trafficking is clear. Those relating to acts of human trafficking will often not be displaced by conflict, especially women and girls and found in the territory of one single State. That means minorities, are particularly vulnerable to that form of that States that wish to investigate and prosecute crude exploitation.

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Recently, Austria was affected by mass migration measures to combat trafficking in persons. We are also and refugee movements as a transit and destination particularly appreciative of the Office of the Special country. Close to 90,000 persons applied for asylum in Representative of the Secretary-General for Children 2015. Most of them came from conflict zones. Aware and Armed Conflict, which, through its monitoring that persons fleeing conflict risk becoming trafficking and reporting mechanism on grave violations against victims along their migration route or after arrival children, documents abductions of children and related in their destination countries, Austria has scaled up violations, including human trafficking. measures to enable the active screening of potential A substantial number of radicalized foreign trafficking victims among migrants and refugees and fighters — also from Austria — have joined terrorist to facilitate access to services for identified victims. groups in conflict areas and might, among other crimes, We would like to emphasize the important need for be perpetrators of human trafficking. In that regard, we all parts of the United Nations system to work effectively fully support the Secretary-General’s recommendation together in assisting States to tackle trafficking in that Member States consider establishing jurisdiction persons in conflict zones and also to mainstream the to prosecute instances of human trafficking committed awareness of such issues in humanitarian response and by their nationals abroad. protection efforts. We would also like to highlight the We would like to emphasize that States have the key role and contribution of civil society in enhancing primary responsibility for bringing perpetrators to the identification and referral of victims of trafficking, justice and ending the climate of impunity. In post- including those originating from conflict and post- conflict settings, accountability and transitional-justice conflict areas. mechanisms are key elements for sustainable peace. Austria is currently supporting projects conducted We also call on those States that have not yet done so by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in to ratify or accede to the United Nations Convention Europe (OSCE) and by the International Centre for against Transnational Organized Crime and its Palermo Migration Policy Development. The projects aim at Anti-Trafficking Protocol. building the capacities of front-line officials and at With the assumption of the chairmanship of the improving the identification and integration of victims OSCE in 2017, Austria will further put a spotlight on of human trafficking along migration routes. We would the interlinkages between migration and trafficking also like to take this opportunity to encourage all and between radicalization, terrorism and trafficking. States to contribute to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the especially Women and Children, as Nadia Murad and floor to Mr. El Nour. the Secretary-General have also called for today. Mr. El Nour: I am pleased to take the floor on behalf Conflict-related sexual violence and sex as payment of the International Organization for Migration (IOM). for passage for women and girls on the move, as well I would like to start by thanking Spain and the Security as the sexual enslavement of and trading in women Council for convening this ministerial open debate on and girls by terrorist groups, are a shockingly common the topic “Trafficking in persons in conflict situations”. reality. Austria hosted an international conference in The international community has increasingly focused June this year, entitled “Fighting Conflict-Related on the topic of human trafficking in the past decade. Sexual Violence — Grassroots Women as Agents of However, the crime of human trafficking, which results Change”, which focused specifically on the contribution in horrendous human rights violations, remains largely and the role of women in civil society in Syria and Iraq. overlooked in emergency situations. We reiterate our support for the important work on that In my brief intervention, I would like to address topic by the Office of the Special Representative of the the question of how we can work together to confront Secretary-General for Sexual Violence in Conflict. human trafficking in conflicts, how to better implement With its portfolio of technical assistance robust victim identification mechanisms and how programmes, the United Nations Office on Drugs and humanitarian action can effectively support the victims Crime has been and continues to be a central partner of human trafficking. Research on that topic has in assisting Member States in implementing practical consistently found evidence that emergency situations

40/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 exacerbate pre-existing risks to human trafficking and ambitious resolution 2331 (2016) on trafficking of create additional ones that are specific to the crisis persons in conflict situations, which Poland proudly setting. Human trafficking in conflict situations is co-sponsored. often a consequence of the erosion of the rule of law, Poland aligns itself with the statement delivered the desperation of individuals following the disruption earlier by the observer of the European Union, but of economic activities, or the potential intrusion by I would like to add some further comments in my criminal networks into refugee camps and camps for national capacity. internally displaced persons. The findings in the report of the Secretary-General We need to collectively understand that counter- on the implementation of measures to counter trafficking trafficking efforts in emergencies are a matter of life in persons (S/2016/949), released in November this year, and death. Employing counter-trafficking measures are worrisome and alarming. The report acknowledges in crises settings helps to prevent individuals from various instances of human trafficking, both within falling victim to highly exploitative practices that can and beyond conflict zones. Civilian populations, seriously impair their physical or psychological well- notably women and often children, often war refugees being and potentially endanger their lives. In that and migrants, are subjected to a wide range of forms regard, the International Organization for Migration, of exploitation, including sexual violence, forced and in close cooperation with its humanitarian partners, compulsory labour, enslavement, as well as forcible has consistently been working on the issue of human recruitment into armed services. trafficking and exploitation in crisis settings, and has already operationalized its response through Particularly disturbing is the nexus between the integration of the protection and assistance of conflict-related sexual violence and human trafficking, crisis-affected trafficking victims into humanitarian acknowledged earlier in the Secretary-General’s report responses as lifesaving measures. on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2016/361/Rev.1). Abductions of women and children, systematic and IOM has further made extensive use of its widespread exploitation and abuse, including rape, Displacement Tracking Matrix tool to assess the sexual violence, forced marriages and sex slavery, exposure to trafficking along migratory routes and perpetrated by Da’esh, Boko Haram and other terrorist to measure the risk to trafficking faced by actual and armed groups, are horrifying and deeply deplorable, and potential victims in camps and crisis-affected and demand our immediate response. We are also communities. The International Organization for alarmed by the widespread practice of the recruitment Migration strongly supports the Council’s efforts to of children by parties to conflicts, including in eliminate human trafficking in conflict situations Syria. In that context, I wish to reiterate the primary and hopes that the Council will take into account responsibility of State authorities for ensuring the the humanitarian dimension of crisis-induced safety of its population, especially members of ethnic human trafficking. and religious minorities. In closing, I want to say that I welcome the adoption Twenty years ago, at the fifty-first session of the of Security Council 2331 (2016) today, and we stand General Assembly, Poland submitted the first draft of ready to support the Council in that regard. the United Nations Convention against Transnational The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the Organized Crime, which was adopted by the Assembly floor to the representative of Poland. in 2000 (resolution 55/25). We subsequently also ratified its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Mr. Winid (Poland): Let me begin by expressing Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and our condolences to our German and Russian colleagues Children. We are also a State party to the International following the tragic terrorist attack in Berlin and the Labour Organization’s Forced Labour Convention tragic assassination of Ambassador Andrey Karlov and its Protocol and the Worst Forms of Child Labour in Ankara. We ask them to accept our sympathy and Convention. We join the Council in urging countries words of condolence. that have not yet done so to embrace the international We thank Spain for organizing today’s important legal framework for preventing and combating open debate and for facilitating the adoption of the trafficking in persons. Adopting appropriate measures

16-45113 41/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 within national legal systems is the first step in its efforts to eliminate trafficking in persons in conflict efforts to combat and prosecute such crimes and hold situations. perpetrators accountable. However, our approach and contribution to the We must also accelerate the international response debate are focused on the prevention of trafficking to that dangerous and inhumane phenomenon, which in persons in all circumstances. It should be fought undermines fundamental human rights and gravely even when it takes place in non-conflict situations. impacts the lives of victims and affects whole Trafficking in persons is a global problem that affects communities. We appreciate the work of international more than 29 million children, women and men who bodies such as the International Criminal Police are subjected to sexual exploitation, forced labour, Organization, the United Nations Office on Drugs domestic servitude and organ harvesting. It is in itself a and Crime, the Office of the United Nations High violation of human rights. It is a most abominable crime Commissioner for Refugees and the International that destroys the essence of people, their life, freedom Organization for Migration. We urge Member States to and integrity. It turns human beings into commodities, leading to the degradation of the dignity and physical cooperate even more closely on that common challenge. and mental health of people, leaving indelible imprints Apart from governmental cooperation, building on the social fabric. partnerships with civil society and the private sector Our people, who have experienced the scourge of should foster information sharing and the identification war at first hand, today live in peace and reconciliation, and protection of victims, with the goal of dismantling led by Commander Daniel Ortega, who is working criminal networks involved in trafficking in persons. with determination to eliminate trafficking in persons. Cooperation with the private sector is especially Being a small country with limited resources, we are important, so as to cut off funding sources to terrorist making our contribution to the international community and violent extremist groups, which often profit in maintaining a firm position of vigilance and in from human trafficking. Fighting sexual and gender- comprehensively addressing the topic within a legal and based violence must be better reflected in counter- normative framework. We have a nation-wide coalition terrorist efforts. to detect, prevent, protect and rehabilitate victims of Last but not least, we must ensure that the stories human trafficking at the national level and to ensure of trafficking not fall into dehumanizing silence by that the perpetrators of such crimes are effectively making the voices of survivors well heard. To conclude, punished. In January 2015, we adopted Law No. 896 against trafficking in persons, which determines the we once again applaud Spain’s initiative to discuss this aims and modalities of the crime, the protected legal topic in this forum, and we appreciate Spain’s work on goods and the criminal classification of the crime. That resolution 2331 (2016), which complements the existing instrument is based on prevention, offering individual framework aimed at fighting human trafficking in recommendations for people and their families. conflict situations. Our Government is also working with other countries The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the in our area through a regional system that facilitates floor to the representative of Nicaragua. the rescue of victims with a view to strengthening Mr. Hermida Castillo (Nicaragua) (spoke in prevention as well. However, international financial Spanish): We offer our condolences to the family of and technical cooperation are always crucial for us to Ambassador Andrey Karlov and the Government and be able to combat such scourge. If we want to put an the people of Russia. end to trafficking in persons in conflict situations, we must begin by looking at the root cause of the conflict. Allow me to congratulate Spain on so efficiently No country in the international community can claim presiding over the Security Council during the month the right to use or threaten to use force in international of December. At the same time, we would like to relations. That form of exceptionalism not only does thank you, Sir, for convening this meeting on such not resolve conflicts, it fuels them, just as we have seen an important topic. We agree with the President’s in recent years. Conflicts are resolved through dialogue concept note (S/2016/1031, annex), which reiterates the and political negotiation, and the United Nations, based importance and need for the United Nations to redouble on the Charter of the United Nations, must assume its

42/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 responsibility and be the main organization to ensure law, anti-complicity and anti-corruption, expediting global peace. the administrative and judicial process against human trafficking cases, effectiveness of frontline operations, Nicaragua — a small country that bases its policies reduction of risk for vulnerable groups, improved on Christian values, socialist principles and solidarity victim and witness protection, integrated efforts within this complex global context — has been working against child exploitation, enhanced partnership, and purposefully in the various regional and international public awareness and outreach. forums to promote policies of peace, unity and understanding among nations, promoting politically Concerning policy, I would like to underline that negotiated solutions to conflicts and the right of our our policy focuses on taking steps to ensure the effective people to achieve their sustainable development and implementation of our international obligations, well-being. Our country continues to focus its efforts particularly the United Nations Convention against on strengthening the family unit and education, Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol to important factors in efforts to forge strong societies Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, that are committed to working, maintaining their well- Especially Women and Children, and the United being and developing themselves. Our Government will Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking continue to bolster its policies to combat the scourge in Persons. before us and protect our societies from it. The Kingdom of Thailand has made consistent The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the efforts to strengthen its judicial institutions and improve floor to the representative of Thailand. its proactive law enforcement, in order to investigate cases, rescue victims and prosecute those involved with Mr. Plasai (Thailand): First of all, I wish, on behalf human trafficking syndicates in a timely and efficient of my Government, to express our deepest condolences manner. We place high priority on protection of and to the Russian Federation for the tragic assassination of assistance to victims of trafficking by addressing Ambassador Andrei Karlov in Ankara yesterday. all aspects of their essential needs. We support the The prevalence of human trafficking in conflict creation of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund situation is of grave concern and requires collective for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, Especially and comprehensive efforts and an immediate and Women and Children, which provides humanitarian, decisive response. We share wth previous speakers the legal and financial aid to victims of human trafficking. concern regarding the nexus between conflict-related We therefore strongly encourage Member States sexual violence and human trafficking, particularly in a position to do so to contribute to the Voluntary the cases that involve United Nations personnel and Trust Fund. peacekeepers. As a troop-contributing country, the With regard to prevention, the most efficient Kingdom of Thailand welcomes the efforts of the preventive measure is to tackle the root causes of Security Council and the United Nations system to conflict, in order to reduce the risk of conflict-affected address and respond to reports of trafficking in persons, vulnerable groups falling into the hands of human as well as sexual exploitation and abuse, in the context traffickers. National and local campaigns, as well as of United Nations peacekeeping operations. community-based activities, have been carried out to My delegation welcomes the adoption of resolution raise awareness of human trafficking. 2331 (2016). We reaffirm our commitment to cooperating Concerning partnership, the Royal Thai Government with the international community in combatting all attaches importance to forging strategic partnerships forms of human trafficking, and we place that agenda with the private sector, civil society, academia and at the top of our national priorities. We are trying to the media in the fight against human trafficking. We effectively address this critical issue through a five-pillar are also of the view that close cooperation with key strategy, which is very much in line with the globally stakeholders at all levels is crucial for achieving a recognized strategy of the United Nations Office on sustainable solution to the problem. Drugs and Crime in addressing human trafficking. The five pillars are: policy, prosecution, protection, The success of our common fight against human prevention and partnership. The implementation of the trafficking requires an integrated approach and well- strategy focuses on nine key areas, namely, the rule of coordinated efforts of all concerned. The United Nations

16-45113 43/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 can play a leading role in that regard. October 2017 will At the international level, Indonesia has ratified be an opportune time to strengthen those efforts, as the the United Nations Convention against Transnational international community will be appraising the United Organized Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women Persons through a mandated high-level meeting of the and Children. In 2015, we joined the international General Assembly. We hope that the meeting will help to community in adopting the Sustainable Development identify the challenges and gaps in the implementation Goals, which, inter alia, also commit to taking action of the Plan of Action and enhance States’ capacity to against human trafficking. put an end to this heinous crime. Despite a strong collective push to raise the bar The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the in stopping such human exploitation at all levels, floor to the representative of Indonesia. there has been intense defiance from the perpetrators. However, the international community cannot relent Mr. Djani (Indonesia): Let me start by expressing in discouraging human trafficking in conflict zones. our deepest condolences to the Government and All methods, including denouncing, disrupting and Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation for the protecting should be exercised. But perhaps the best tragic attack against His Excellency Ambassador method would be prevention and protection, which can Andrey Karlov. Our condolences also go to the victims be achieved in many ways. of the Berlin market attack. Our prayers go to their bereaved families. First and foremost, investing in the prevention of conflict is one of the best protections against human I would like to thank Spain for convening this open trafficking. Yet in cases where conflict prevention debate. I also thank His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon may not necessarily be possible, the international and the other briefers for their remarks. community needs to commit to resolve the conflicts in All human beings possess fundamental human which human trafficking thrives. rights, which are inherent to their noble dignity and Secondly, we should more robustly implement respect. Trafficking in persons is a wicked crime that the international Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and violates those rights. The trafficking of vulnerable Punish Trafficking in Persons, including in conflict people, especially women and children, who should be settings — be it the trafficking of persons who are protected in conflict situations, is an even more heinous fleeing a conflict or those trafficked into forced military crime; they are deceived or abducted into exploitation, service and in post-conflict reconstruction work. torture and servitude. Indonesia condemns modern slavery and human trafficking and supports their Thirdly, the United Nations system’s capabilities elimination. Like others, we welcome the adoption of could be enhanced to protect those vulnerable to resolution 2331 (2016) today. human trafficking in conflict. We could analyse further ways to incorporate humanitarian actions with Recognizing the seriousness of the problem, the human trafficking. From the outset of a conflict crisis, Indonesian Government has taken concrete action anti-trafficking measures should be incorporated into at the national, regional and international levels. all humanitarian interventions in conflict zones as part At the national level, the Government of Indonesia of life-saving protection activities. enacted Law Number 21 of 2007, which criminalizes all kinds of human trafficking. At the regional level, It is unfortunate that humanitarian action is intended Indonesia and Australia initiated the Bali Process on in some cases to be a temporary fix for populations that People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related are experiencing hazardous situations. We should take Transnational Crime, in 2002. Besides effectively a long-term view in terms of empowering vulnerable raising regional awareness of the consequences of populations, so that they can play an active role in people smuggling, trafficking in persons and related preventing human trafficking. In short, it is pertinent transnational crimes, the Bali Process has also to employ anti-trafficking strategies in the planning developed and implemented strategies and practical and implementation of humanitarian responses, so as cooperation in its response. to ensure durable solutions.

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Lastly, those who engage in human trafficking experts to investigate and document such crimes with will remain determined to challenge our cause. The a view to supporting prosecutions by national or international community must never relent in countering international tribunals. human traffickers. Let us fight against exploitation and Human trafficking creates extraordinary profits for bring those responsible to account and to justice. We both terrorist and criminal organizations. By employing must preserve the dignity of all human beings. the tools developed to combat financial crime, we can The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the deprive them of funding and access to the international representative of Canada. financial system, making it more difficult for them to accomplish their destructive goals. Mr. Grant (Canada) (spoke in French): Canada thanks Spain for bringing the issue of people trafficking Canada strongly supports the work of the Security in situations of conflict to the attention of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolutions Council and for its leadership on the matter. 1267 (1999) 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida Trafficking in persons is a sordid crime that deprives and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and people of their freedom and exploits some of the most entities to list the financial facilitators of Da’esh, vulnerable members of our societies. It has devastating Al-Qaida and affiliated groups, and the work of effects on the physical, mental and emotional health of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to push all survivors, their families and communities. In situations countries to implement effective, risk-based anti-money of conflict, civilians, particularly women and girls, are laundering and anti-terrorist financing regimes. extremely vulnerable to being trafficked and to sexual Canada is encouraged by the Security Council’s close violence. The international community must ensure cooperation with the FATF and its regional bodies in that the response to situations of conflict, including that effort. those related to terrorist activities, takes into account the need to prevent trafficking in persons, protect the Canada is proud to have joined 60 Member States victims of that crime and prosecute perpetrators. in co-sponsoring resolution 2331 (2016), adopted earlier today and we welcome the attention of the Security Canada has been working to keep the issue of Council on this important matter. violence against women and girls, including the appalling atrocities committed by Da’esh, at the top of The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the the global agenda. Furthermore, we are committed to floor to Mr. Koncke. ensuring that Da’esh is held to account for its crimes. In Mr. Koncke (spoke in Spanish): On behalf of the October, Canada’s Parliament recognized the findings General Secretariat of the Organization of American of the Commission of Inquiry that atrocities committed States (OAS), I extend condolences to the Permanent by Da’esh against the Yazidis of Sinjar constitute Mission of Russia following the attack that claimed genocide. Our Parliament unanimously adopted a the life of Ambassador Andrey Karlov, and to the motion to provide asylum to the most vulnerable Yazidi Permanent Mission of Germany following the attack women and girls. carried out in Berlin. Sexual and gender-based violence is a serious I am honoured to take part in today’s open debate barrier to the recovery of communities after armed in the Security Council on behalf of the Secretary conflict. In addition to the provision of services to General of the Organization of American States. First, survivors, the international community must hold I thank the Spanish presidency of the Security Council perpetrators to account in order to break the culture for its initiative to convene today’s debate to address a of impunity and provide justice to survivors. Canada topic of extreme importance and pressing urgency and commends the comprehensive approach taken by the that requires shared commitments, multidimensional Special Representative of the Secretary-General for approaches and the highest sense of political will of Sexual Violence in Conflict, Ms. Zainab Bangura, as countries and other actors to combat and eradicate it. well as the work of t the Team of Experts on Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict, and UN Action. We are fully confident that today’s debate and We also commend the partnership between UN-Women the adoption of resolution 2331 (2016) will contribute and Justice Rapid Response and their work in deploying decisively to the efforts of the Security Council and

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Member States to establish and empower judicial Plan include the establishment of mechanisms for the systems and other institutional mechanisms aimed at periodic monitoring of strategies, the criminalization preventing, criminalizing, combating and eradicating of trafficking according to the seriousness of the crime, this scourge, above all when it also serves as a source of special emphasis on minors under 18 years of age, funding for criminal organizations and terrorist groups access to protection mechanisms for victims regardless in situations of armed conflict. of their immigration status and participation in illegal activities, and capacity-building and the strengthening Human trafficking is one of the most despicable of the institutional governance of countries. expressions of human barbarism. In the more than 50 armed conflicts plaguing the world, this crime Within that framework, together with the intensifies violence and the expressions of terrorism, International Organization for Migration and the prolongs the suffering of its victims and delays or Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for nullifies the development of communities. In addition, Refugees, and with funding from the European Union, it is an ongoing violation of international humanitarian since 2014 OAS has implemented the Inter-American law and international human rights law. In many cases, Programme for the Prevention of Irregular Migration in the underlying link between transnational organized Mesoamerica. The Programme covers eight countries crime and conflict situations is undeniable. in the region and has three complementary components: prevention, confrontation and protection. Human trafficking in our hemisphere focuses on sexual exploitation, mainly of women and girls or In addition, the inter-American crime and violence adolescents. In our region, regional and international prevention programme was launched in 2015. It routes have been identified, and in many countries, the includes the prevention of human trafficking. It is practices used by criminal groups to capture victims being implemented as a pilot project in Brazil and will have also been recognized, as well as victims’ places continue in Honduras next year. Recently, the Organized of origin and destination. Although we now enjoy Transnational Crime Department was created within unprecedented peace in our region, thanks to the recent the OAS General Secretariat. It seeks to address the signing of the peace agreement achieved in Colombia, challenges faced by the western hemisphere with regard we cannot give up on the fight against the threat posed to such crimes The efforts made by OAS in that regard by transnational organized crime, since it is a reality should not be viewed in isolation, but, rather, as being that is measured in lives and victims, including those linked to the four strategic pillars of the organization: subjected to human trafficking. Let me share some of democracy, human rights, integrated development and the efforts made by OAS to end this crime. multidimensional security — all under the slogan of “More rights for more people”. All countries of the hemisphere have committed to adhering to the terms of the United Nations Convention A challenge in the fight against human trafficking on Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol to is the existence of networks that corrupt public Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, authority, built around criminal organizations and Especially Women and Children. In 2006, 2009, 2012 their links with the private sector and terrorist groups and 2014, Venezuela, Argentina, Guatemala and Brazil, that use human trafficking as a source of financing, respectively, hosted high-level meetings on the subject, as acknowledged by the fourth Global Survey of the the last of which adopted the Declaration of Brasilia and Implementation of Security Council resolution 1373 the Second Work Plan against Trafficking in Persons in (2001) by Member States. the Western Hemisphere 2015-2018. These constitute To conclude, I should like to share a few thoughts the framework for guiding efforts in the region. and suggestions based on experiences in our region. The Work Plan takes into account the different Combating human trafficking requires a manifestations of exploitation considered as human multidimensional security approach, a combination of trafficking, and pays special attention to vulnerable, national efforts and bilateral and multilateral measures at-risk groups and indigenous populations and other and active cooperation with regional organizations. traditional communities, as well as lesbian, gay, The legal dimension, through the classification of bisexual, transgender and intersex persons groups. crimes related to human trafficking, must be a key The mandates and guidelines of the Second Work pillar in efforts by Member States, as well as in the

46/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 development of criminal classifications related to the as a Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors fight against money-laundering and the financing of of Human Trafficking. terrorism in order to combat human trafficking, in Prevention is key in both conflict and non-conflict particular in conflict affected areas. Strengthening situations. The role in prevention of personnel deployed capacity-building is an essential tool for improving in United Nations peacekeeping operations should be border control and management, identifying falsified enhanced. Developing predeployment curriculums documents and prosecuting trafficking networks. that emphasize the specifics of trafficking in persons I would like to conclude by expressing the full would help to increase peacekeepers’ knowledge of the confidence of the secretariat of the OAS that today’s problem in order to help them better identify and combat open debate will be an essential contribution to the task it. Everyone with access to areas of conflict, including of preventing, combating and eradicating the trade and representatives of civil society and humanitarian actors, trafficking in human beings, to which the organization should also receive this type of training. I represent is fully committed. The Secretary-General’s report (S/2016/949) identifies the complex nexus that exists between The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the trafficking in persons, organized crime, corruption, floor to the representative of Romania. armed conflict and terrorism. But it requires further Mr. Jinga (Romania): I would like to begin by mapping. We cannot successfully combat human expressing our sincere condolences on the assassination trafficking at the national level alone, for cooperation of Mr. Andrey Karlov, Ambassador of the Russian at the regional and international levels is also key. Civil Federation to Ankara, and to the loved ones of the society, the private sector and the media should be victims of the terrorist attack in Berlin. major partners in that regard. Ensuring the continued use of mechanisms to combat money laundering I would like to congratulate Spain on its and the financing of terrorism, including sanctions remarkable and accomplished two-year term on the regimes, will contribute further to tracking and halting Security Council, and to thank the Spanish delegation the problem. We believe we should also make use of the for organizing today’s open debate on trafficking in 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which gives persons in conflict situations. I commend their efforts us a clear mandate for taking immediate and effective with regard to today’s adoption by the Security Council measures to eradicate modern slavery and human of resolution 2331 (2016), of which Romania was trafficking. After drug trafficking, human trafficking a sponsor. is the world’s single-largest criminal enterprise. Its commodity is human beings, bought and sold with no Romania aligns itself with the statement delivered consideration for human dignity. Today there are more earlier on behalf of the European Union, to which I slaves in the world than there have ever been in the would like to add some remarks in my national capacity. history of humankind — an estimated 27 million adults Conflicts are becoming more closely linked to and 13 million children. terrorist activities, while human trafficking plays Romania’s national anti-human-trafficking agency an increasing role in the operations of terrorist coordinates the activities of the authorities dealing with organizations, generating revenue and functioning as human trafficking, as well as protecting and assisting an instrument for eliminating those who oppose them. victims. It is currently cooperating with 64 different It is well known that internally displaced and refugee partners, including some from civil society. There is women and girls in areas controlled by Da’esh have been a dedicated unit within the Romanian national police sold or forcibly married to fighters in armed groups. The of 15 regional teams of specialized officers, totalling horrendous crimes committed against Yazidi women 250 operational staff. Our police border department has and girls in particular have generated deep sympathy 400 officers attached to Frontex, the European Border worldwide. We must help the survivors to cope with the and Coast Guard Agency, working with European long-lasting physical and psychological trauma of the border and coast guard teams fighting human and drug abuse they have endured. We welcome the appointment trafficking. Twenty-two Romanian debriefing experts of Nadia Murad Basee Taha, a survivor of Da’esh human are also helping to identify trafficking victims among trafficking who presented her testimony earlier today, immigrants. Romanian personnel in United Nations

16-45113 47/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 peacekeeping operations receive predeployment Syria. Ten days later, they separated us and I was training on how to identify and protect victims of all alone.” human trafficking. Unfortunately, it seems that the international community Finally, Romania remains fully committed to the has failed Marwa and her family and friends. global efforts to deal with this issue. The fight is part of In recent years the Syrian conflict has turned our collective sense of humanity. the Middle East into a breeding ground for human The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the traffickers. Unfortunately, that is not limited to Da’esh floor to the representative of Israel. alone but also extends to the Syrian regime. According to the 2016 report of the United States Department Mr. Danon (Israel): Israel joins the many of State on trafficking in persons, the actions of the delegations here that have condemned the terrible Syrian Government, as well as Hizbullah, continue to terror attacks in Berlin and in Turkey on the Russian worsen the problem of human trafficking crimes. We Ambassador. Terror is terror, and we are united with must condemn those acts and demand that the Syrian the rest of the international community in condemning Government uphold its international obligations by and opposing such terrible crimes. refraining from using child soldiers, protecting women Every year, hundreds of thousands of people, who have been sold as sex slaves and prosecuting mostly women and children, are trafficked across traffickers, whether they are Government officials borders worldwide, in a crime of humankind against or terrorists. humankind. It should outrage every person because Israel shares fully in the global concern about this it debases our fellow human beings. It should outrage issue and in the commitment to continuing to fight to every community because it erodes societies. And it eliminate trafficking in persons. Combating human should outrage every nation because it funds organized trafficking is a high priority for our Government. We crime and terrorist groups and threatens international are a party to the United Nations Convention against peace and security. It is worth emphasizing that human Transnational Organized Crime and its Palermo trafficking is a multibillion-dollar industry. While in Protocol on trafficking in persons. In fact, we are fully the past trafficking in persons, like drug and arms engaged in the fight against trafficking in persons trafficking, was mostly run by organized criminal through all four Ps — prevention, prosecution, groups, in today’s world we are witnessing an alarming protection and partnership. increase in the involvement of terrorist groups such as Da’esh and Boko Haram. The first is prevention. We introduced a comprehensive anti-trafficking law in 2006 and adopted A year ago, we all had the chance to hear in person national plans of action. Eradicating the plague of the horrific story of Nadia Murad, a Yazidi refugee trafficking and slavery requires partnership at all levels. and victim of trafficking, in the first-ever Security To achieve that, we appointed a national anti-trafficking Council debate dedicated to trafficking in persons (see coordinator to coordinate efforts between the S/PV.7585). In October, in an effort to raise awareness Government and non-governmental organizations. of the dire situation of Yazidi women and girls, the The second is prosecution. We have invested in our Israel Permanent Mission to the United Nations hosted intelligence and law enforcement agencies in order to an event focused on trauma treatment for refugees who identify trafficking networks, prosecute perpetrators manage to escape the bloodshed in Syria and Iraq. At and enforce tough sentences. The third is protection. that event, we had the opportunity to hear from a young We have introduced a network of services to help locate woman named Marwa Al Aliko, a Yazidi refugee from trafficked persons and provide victims with support. Iraq who was captured and trafficked by Da’esh and They are given a safe place to stay in a Government- forced into slavery before she was able to escape. In funded shelter, free legal aid, a work visa and the medical that meeting, Marwa said that and psychological support they so desperately need to “the Da’esh fighters took us captive and put us in a begin rehabilitation. Recently, the special forfeiture small room. Every night the men would come to us fund for the rehabilitation of victims of trafficking was and do as they pleased. After a few days one of the activated and allocated funds to more than 45 victims men bought me and my two sisters and took us to and five non-governmental organizations (NGOs) for

48/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 various rehabilitation purposes, including recovery and supplement the Convention. Also, in 2010, the General reintegration. And the fourth, and last, is partnership Assembly adopted the United Nations Global Plan of among all stakeholders, namely, Government, civil Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, and since society and the private sector. Our success is largely 2014 has observed the World Day against Trafficking due to the valuable partnerships we have formed with in Persons on 30 July. NGOs. They are critical in every phase of the process. Those instruments have also provided a clear Each one of us has a responsibility. Every nation mandate for the United Nations Office on Drugs and must take action by adopting strong anti-trafficking Crime in the framework of the fight against trafficking. laws, strengthening enforcement mechanisms and The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has introducing tougher penalties. Trafficking preys on developed extensive experience in implementing those without a voice, and therefore we must be the appropriate mechanisms and tools to address the issue, voice ourselves. We must be the voice of the man who including, among other initiatives, the Voluntary Trust is lured by the promise of a higher-paying job, but ends Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons and the up toiling in hard labour in horrific conditions under provision of technical assistance to States. Argentina the threat of violence. We must be the voice of the child values and acknowledges those efforts. who is told she would have a better life, but is raped and forced into prostitution. We must be the voice of women In that context, it is important to note that Goal 8.7 such as Marwa and Nadia and so many others. We must of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) expressly show them through our actions that they are not alone. refers to the problem of combating forced labor, modern slavery and trafficking in persons. Moreover, The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the its implementation, review and monitoring is carried floor to the representative of Argentina. out under the framework of the mechanisms established Mr. García Moritán (Argentina) (spoke in by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Spanish): At the outset, I wish to express my condolences Under the coordination of the International Labour to the Government of Germany and the Government of Organization, Argentina has played an active role in the Russia for the tragic events that took place recently. development of Alliance 8.7, in order to achieve that Unfortunately, terror and madness are just around the Goal. Argentina has long been committed to combating corner and can affect us all. trafficking in persons as one of the worst forms of violence against human beings, which endangers the Moving on to today’s topic, I would like to thank the dignity of all people. Our commitment has always Kingdom of Spain for convening this important open placed priority on preventing this crime and punishing debate on trafficking in persons in conflict situations. its perpetrators, while improving the Government’s Argentina would like to point out that, while the ability to assist and protect its victims. threat of trafficking in persons may in fact increase At the national level, we established an executive in conflict situations, it is important to bear in mind committee on combating the trafficking and exploitation that the United Nations has already developed a of persons and protecting and assisting the victims, sophisticated system to fight trafficking, which has been as well as a federal council on combating trafficking. designed through resolutions of the General Assembly, The executive committee, set up in September 2013, in particular under the agenda items entitled “Crime is tasked with implementing a national programme to prevention and criminal justice” and “Advancement combat human trafficking and exploitation and protect of women”. and assist victims. It includes representatives from Indeed, the General Assembly has discussed this the Ministry of Security, the Ministry of Justice and issue and adopted resolutions on combating trafficking Human Rights, the Ministry of Social Development since the forty-ninth session, through annual resolutions and the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social that have fed into and promoted the negotiation and Security. The executive committee develops and adoption of the United Nations Convention against implements awareness-raising campaigns and is in Transnational Organized Crime, and in particular its charge of training civil servants to address the problem Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking of trafficking in persons, sexual exploitation and in Persons, Especially Women and Children, to related crimes in order to understand the complexity

16-45113 49/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 of the crime and its direct links to drug trafficking and greater security and a life of dignity. We have all seen organized crime. the painful images of those who have paid their lives due to the exploitation of refugees by human traffickers. For its part, the federal council on combating human trafficking, set up in July, is responsible for designing While we highlight the important measures a federal strategy to combat human trafficking and undertaken by the international community to address exploitation and promote the adoption by various trafficking in persons, the real challenge facing us is jurisdictions of standards of conduct, protocols and not limited to promoting frameworks and means to intervention networks to ensure effective protection combat the phenomenon. Instead, we should address and respect for the rights of victims of trafficking and the root causes that have led to such exacerbation. We exploitation. The federal council is made up of national are talking about protracted and new conflicts that have ministries, Government agencies and representatives of pushed innocent civilians to seek safety and peace. They civil society. are therefore prone to danger in their own countries, which are suffering from poverty and conflict, or are in We therefore believe that it is important that the situations of displacement or are seeking asylum or are Security Council, as the principal organ of the United migrating to other countries in order to flee death and Nations, be sensitive to the problem of trafficking. destruction. Adding to the dangers associated with the However, we must not lose sight of the fact that the phenomenon of human trafficking is the use by terrorist issue as such falls under the purview of the General groups of young people who are recruited to carry out Assembly and that the Organization has developed terrorist operations. a sophisticated mechanism for addressing the legal framework provided by the Palermo Convention and While referring to the horrific repercussions of its Protocol, with the guidance provided by the United conflicts and policies that violate the fundamental Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in rights of individuals and peoples, we would also like to Persons as a fundamental tool for the implementation stress that conflict provides an environment conducive of national public policies on this issue. to human trafficking. The international community has failed to address those conflicts and crisis that indirectly The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the contribute to the further spread of this phenomenon. floor to the representative of Qatar. The friendly people of Syria have paid a very high Ms. Al-Thani (Qatar) (spoke in Arabic): At the price owing to the failure of the Security Council to outset, I would like to congratulate your friendly save civilians and reach a solution to the crisis in their country, Sir, for presiding over the Security Council country, which is now in its sixth year. The appalling during the month December. We also thank you for and unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Syria has convening this important debate. We also welcome the unfortunately been exacerbated in Aleppo, where fact that His Excellency the President of the Government an increasing number of civilians find themselves in of Spain presided over the meeting this morning. We situations of forced migration. The many security and also welcome the Council’s adoption of resolution 2331 other repercussions of this situation will have an impact (2016), which we co-sponsored. on regional and international peace and security. Moreover, I would be remiss not to associate Furthermore, we would like to stress that, should the myself with the statement to be delivered by the international community should succeed in putting an representatative of Bahrain on behalf of the Group of end to human trafficking, we would still need to address Friends United against Human Trafficking. the root causes and find just solutions to conflicts and crisis, fight impunity and ensure accountability. The reports presented include appalling statistics on the spread of human trafficking. They also bear out The State of Qatar has supported the United Nations the causal relationship between conflict and the spread Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons of human trafficking. A look at the ongoing conflicts all since its inception. We have enacted many legislative over the world and their abhorrent repercussions, leads measures aimed at combating trafficking in persons. We us to conclude that forced migration is fundamental have also cooperated internationally and promulgated to those conflicts, which have pushed hundreds of laws that criminalize the human-trafficking thousands of people to flee their homes in search of phenomenon. In 2015, we hosted the thirteenth United

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Nations Conference on Crime Prevention and Criminal of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Justice. The Doha communiqué that was issued Persons makes a practical contribution. following the Conference endorsed a comprehensive Preventing and combating human trafficking and approach to combating the crime of human trafficking. slavery is a priority of the Australian Government. We We are also one of the major supporters of the United are working with countries in the Asia-Pacific region to Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which is the stamp out these barbaric and criminal practices and to primary United Nations agency operating in this field. find innovative development approaches that stimulate In same vein, we have been one of the main contributors opportunity and hope for people as close to their homes as to the United Nations Trust Fund for Victims of Human possible, in order to reduce their vulnerability. Through Trafficking since its establishment. the Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in In conclusion, the State of Qatar will spare no effort Persons and Related Transnational Crime, Australia is to support the efforts of the Security Council to put an working with Indonesia, with which we co-Chair the end to the phenomenon of human trafficking and to all Process, to reinvigorate efforts to establish regional conflicts and crises and bring about peace and security cooperation on these issues. In March 2016, we adopted in our region and the world at large. the Bali Declaration, which represents strengthened political commitment to protecting vulnerable people The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the who are on the move in our region. floor to the representative of Australia. In May, the Bali Process held a regional forum on Ms. Wilson (Australia): I will start by joining using financial investigation tools and techniques to others in expressing our condolences to Russia for the investigate, disrupt and prosecute human-trafficking shocking attack on its Ambassador in Turkey yesterday. cases. In terms similar to those set out in the Secretary- Our thoughts and sadness are with family and loved General’s report (S/2016/949), it highlighted the ones and the Russian people at this terrible time. benefits of using “follow the money” techniques in human-trafficking cases. My delegation aligns itself with the statement made earlier by the representative of Liechtenstein. In May next year, we will launch the Bali Process Business Forum, which will highlight the importance of Australia is deeply concerned about trafficking involving business in addressing and preventing human in persons. We know that armed conflict and trafficking. The Forum will bring together private instability — and the resulting economic sector leaders from the 45 member countries of the Bali desperation — amplifies the risk of human trafficking Process to focus on best practices in eradicating human for vulnerable people, especially women and children, trafficking and slavery and to make recommendations people with disabilities, migrants and displaced people. to ministers. Sadly, refugee and internal displacement camps are particularly fertile ground for human traffickers. With We must remain focused and continue to work the highest-ever number of people displaced in the world together diligently to stamp out trafficking in persons, today, there are now a great many who are particularly prosecute those who perpetuate this heinous crime, vulnerable to trafficking, and we must work to protect address the needs of victims and protect those who are them from this scourge. most vulnerable. We have a shared responsibility to disrupt this The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the evil trade and address its root causes. No one State floor to the Permanent Observer of the Observer State or organization can do it alone. Australia encourages of the Holy See to the United Nations. United Nations efforts to strengthen coordination to Archbishop Auza: Trafficking in persons is at develop a more strategic and coherent international the heart of the Holy See’s preoccupations. People of response. We consider that Alliance 8.7 is a useful goodwill, whatever their religious beliefs, can never vehicle for bringing key United Nations agencies, allow women, children and men to be treated merely Member States and non-governmental stakeholders as objects, or to be deceived, violated, often sold and together, to accelerate efforts to effectively combat resold for profit, leaving them devastated in mind trafficking. We should also ensure that the 2017 review and body only to be finally eliminated or abandoned.

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Such treatment is shameful and barbaric. It must persons poses is immense, and all must assume their be condemned unequivocally. The full force of the respective responsibilities and collaborate with one law must be brought to bear upon those who commit another. The Holy See is committed to playing its part such crimes. in meeting this challenge. The Holy See notes that the report (S/2016/949) The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the of the Secretary-General on the implementation of floor to the representative of Greece. measures to counter trafficking in persons includes a wealth of statistics and highlights the many issues Mrs. Boura (Greece): I would like to join others that are involved in this villainous practice. The report in expressing condolences to Russia in connection with clearly shows the complexity of trafficking in persons the assassination of its Ambassador in Ankara, and to as an international phenomenon and illustrates the Germany in connection with the victims of the terrorist multifaceted nature of the problem, whose resolution attack in Berlin. will require the collaboration of all, including in I wish to congratulate Spain for having organized particular faith-based and faith-inspired organizations this open debate. Greece aligns itself with the statement and other civil-society groups, which are very much delivered by the observer of the European Union and present on the ground. wishes to add the following from a national point Pope Francis, who has made the fight against of view. trafficking in persons and other forms of modern Over the past two decades, the ground-breaking slavery a high priority, declared that modern slavery work of the United Nations bodies, the Organization in the form of human trafficking, forced labour, prostitution or trafficking in organs is a crime against for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council humanity. Among the many causes and factors that of Europe, the International Organization for Migration abet contemporary forms of slavery like trafficking and regional initiatives such as the European Union in persons are poverty, underdevelopment and Network of National Rapporteurs has consolidated an exclusion, especially when combined with a lack of important legislative framework for eradicating human access to education or scarce, or even non-existent, trafficking. Yet despite the efforts made, the official employment opportunities, as widespread corruption statistics on human trafficking remain comparable to and unrestrained greed rob the human person of a those of a “rare crime”, with just a small percentage of dignified life. perpetrators convicted and only a few victims saved. At present, however, the biggest single factor that We are firmly convinced that the international facilitates trafficking in persons is war and armed community should focus on strengthening law conflict. Trafficking in persons is flourishing alongside enforcement, establishing a proactive and inclusive today’s refugee and migrant crisis, which has been identification regime for victims and a comprehensive primarily provoked by wars and conflicts. It is therefore awareness-raising campaign. At the same time, we need pertinent that the Security Council examine the plague to step up efforts to crack down on the enormous profits of trafficking in persons in conflict situations. generated by traffickers by following financial trails, If the fight against trafficking in persons is to and use all available investigative tools to prosecute be effective, the international community must unite the perpetrators. in the common commitment to put an end to the The unprecedented levels of human displacement fighting, hatred and violence, and to pursue peace and have also revealed the increased vulnerability of reconciliation. The Holy See remains firmly convinced potential trafficking victims in refugee and migratory that the way to resolve open questions such as that of flows. Irregular undocumented migrants are particularly trafficking in persons must be that of diplomacy and vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, making the nexus dialogue, in order to resolve conflicts and end wars. between trafficking and irregular migration more The Holy See encourages the Security Council to relevant than ever. While some countries increase continue fighting against the scourge of trafficking border controls to curb migration flows, many migrants in persons, primarily through preventing and ending turn to organized criminal networks to arrange their armed conflicts. The challenge that trafficking in border crossing.

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Trafficking in women and girls has become a tactic and foremost to uphold human dignity amid a world of terrorism, with terrorist groups such as the Islamic of conflict, poverty and desperation, with vulnerable State in Iraq and the Levant and Boko Haram openly groups of women and children at high risk of being and systematically promoting the trafficking and sexual manipulated, exploited and savagely abused for profit. enslavement of women and girls. To address the nexus Traffickers and warlords are relying on our failure to between human trafficking, conflict, sexual violence protect vulnerable people. and violent extremism requires a holistic approach. The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the Trafficking as a financial resource for terrorism must floor to the representative of Bangladesh. not be underestimated. Mr. Bin Momen (Bangladesh): I join other Greece is a transit country for thousands of migrants and refugees who attempt to cross the Mediterranean representatives in condemning the terrorist attacks that and flee war, violence and persecution. As the first took place yesterday in Russia and in Germany. entry point for migrants and refugees arriving in Trafficking and forced labour constitute a “heart Europe, Greece is very well aware of the challenges and of darkness” in our world. It is evident that some of its pivotal role in combating such phenomena. international terrorist groups are resorting to trafficking In this context, we have established a national in persons to bolster their power, recruitment base and coordination mechanism as well as a national finances. We are concerned that certain State authorities identification and referral mechanism. Both also remain complicit with human trafficking networks mechanisms are coordinated by the Office of the to add to the precarious situation of civilians subject to National Rapporteur at the Minister for Foreign Affairs forced displacement. and operate as a hub for partnership-building among all The nexus between trafficking in persons and other relevant stakeholders. The comprehensive protection types of organized crime is becoming increasingly of vulnerable persons, including women, girls and manifest. A sustained, coordinated and coherent unaccompanied children, figures high in our priorities. response by the international, regional and national Increased emphasis placed on extending identification entities concerned is required to effectively pre-empt procedures in the context of mixed migration and and disrupt that nexus, especially when it involves refugee flows. women and children. Human trafficking, this modern form of slavery, To this effect, we take note of the comprehensive has no place in the twenty-first century. We hope that resolution 2331 (2016) adopted by the Council today. today’s debate will mark a flagship event that will urge We would have preferred an inclusive, participatory all competent stakeholders to deploy the imperative approach to the draft, considering its importance to the human, legal and financial resources to effectively wider membership. eradicate this heinous form of human rights violation and organized crime. We need to work closely together From our national perspective, we wish to underline to promote multilateral cooperation, enhance early- four points. identification procedures and establish robust referral First, despite robust counter-trafficking legislations mechanisms, so that victims can address the protection and action plans, prosecution and conviction in services they so need and deserve. trafficking-related cases remain low. There is no A consistent human rights and cross-sectoral alternative to regional and international cooperation approach can lead to positive results in counter- in information-sharing and mutual legal assistance. trafficking. To that end, we must identify the We urge all source, transit and destination countries partnerships to be employed, aiming at protecting to accede and adhere to the relevant international vulnerable groups at risk of being exploited or traded. legal instruments. At the same time, we must combat the culture of Secondly, human traffickers tend to benefit from impunity regarding the high levels of “demand” for the divergences between and discrimination in the “services” related to trafficking. systemic and policy responses to immigration and Let us not forget that the task before us is not merely asylum in different countries. The global compact for about implementing laws and penal codes. We aim first safe, regular and orderly migration should promote a

16-45113 53/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 regular flow of migration and a sound, global migration Allow me to thank Spain for having convened governance system that is based on a set of legally today’s debate on this topic, which is a dire one but binding and non-binding norms and approaches. is timely and topical. Human trafficking is one of the gravest attacks on humankind and a phenomenon that Thirdly, the stigma of human trafficking must undermines the dignity and value of the human being. be shifted from the victims to the perpetrators. It occurs not only during tragedy and disaster, although Accountability and justice for victims should remain it is a direct consequence of such events, which also above undue politicization, and the Trust Funds lead to damage to infrastructure, loss of life and lack of established by the United Nations to support victims food, consequences that receive more attention. must see an enhanced flow of resources. Armed conflict is a breeding ground for human Fourthly, training and sensitization concerning trafficking. During conflict, traffickers take advantage trafficking in persons in conflict situations would of the lack of normalcy and the rule of law to exploit indeed add value to the relevant United Nations the existing vulnerabilities of people and act with peacekeeping operations. Any possible linkage with impunity to finance war, provide sexual services and trafficking in case of allegations of sexual exploitation reduce, if not eliminate, ethnic or religious minorities. and abuse by peacekeepers must be based on credible Despite efforts deployed to curb the phenomenon, it information and evidence. has reached alarming dimensions in past years. Indeed, In the aftermath of the Andaman Sea refugee crisis well-structured groups run human trafficking using in early 2015, we saw that sustained surveillance and networks that are often hard to dismantle, profiting awareness-building at the community level are some of from the vulnerability and fragility of its victims, most the most effective tools against trafficking in persons. frequently women and children. Bangladesh remains committed to international efforts While it is true that non-State armed groups have to combat that scourge, pursuant to the Protocol to long exploited vulnerable people for sexual purposes, Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, military service and forced labour, those groups, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the particularly Da’esh and Boko Haram, encourage and United Nations Convention against Transnational run a slave trade of unprecedented dimensions. They Organized Crime, the United Nations Global Plan of openly organize slave markets, using the most modern Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, and the South and sophisticated techniques, notably electronic social Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Convention networks, to auction off the victims of their trafficking. on Preventing and Combating the Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution, among others. In December 2015, the members of the Security Council made human trafficking one of its concerns, The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the under the presidency of the United States of America. floor to the representative of Morocco. Members heard, for the first time, the poignant testimony Mr. Eloumni (Morocco) (spoke in French): Allow of Nadia Murad Basee Taha, a Yezidi survivor of sexual me to extend the heartfelt condolences of the Kingdom slavery at the hands of Da’esh. Today, we should heed of Morocco to the Government and the people of the her distress call and her appeal for concrete actions to Russian Federation, as well as to the family of the be taken. deceased, Ambassador Andrey Karlov, and to express The December 2015 presidential statement our outrage against the despicable criminal terrorist S/PRST/2015/25 was an important step in that regard. attack of which he was the victim, in flagrant and Resolution 2331 (2016), submitted by Spain and unacceptable violation of human values. adopted this morning and co-sponsored by Morocco, Morocco also condemns the attack yesterday in is a historic step for the Council. The Council now has Berlin, the cowardly 11 December terrorist bombing of powerful means to reverse that pernicious trend and to a Coptic cathedral in Cairo, as well as the 18 December help States punish such crimes. We must continue to terrorist attack in the Karak province of Jordan. The work on identifying individuals and groups that fund Kingdom of Morocco strongly denounces terrorism in terrorist groups through their sexual trafficking and all of its forms and manifestations, and reaffirms its violence. Recognizing the need to combat that type unswerving commitment to fighting that scourge. of crime, Morocco has ratified several international

54/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 conventions on the subject, including the Protocol to The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, floor to the representative of Jordan. Especially Women and Children, supplementing the Ms. Bahous (Jordan) (spoke in Arabic): Allow me United Nations Convention against Transnational at the outset to express our condolences to the Russian Organized Crime. Federation and the family of the Russian Ambassador, In the meantime, the Government of Morocco has a victim of terrorism, as well as to Germany and the undertaken a number of legislative and institutional families affected by yesterday’s attack there. reforms aimed at providing the Kingdom with a legal We thank Spain for its efforts as President of arsenal and specific means for strengthening its actions the Security Council and for having convened this aimed at combating various forms of organized crime, important debate. We wish them every success. We particularly human trafficking, illegal immigration and also thank the Secretary-General of the United Nations, terrorism. Morocco recently adopted a law on human Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for his report on the implementation trafficking, with the aim of adapting national legislation of measures to counter trafficking in persons to international standards, particularly the Protocol to (S/2016/949). With the end of his mandate approaching, Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, I thank him for all of his efforts over the past 10 years Especially Women and Children, supplementing the and wish him every success in the future. United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. That law includes sentence We welcome the Special Rapporteur on trafficking guidelines and preventive measures to protect victims, in persons, especially women and children, and her as well as provisions on institutional measures aimed at report to the Human Rights Council (A/HRC/32/41), in which she stresses the importance of the fight against combating the phenomenon through the creation of an human trafficking, particularly in conflict zones. advisory commission to the Head of Government. We also welcome Mr. Fedotov, Executive Director of On the other hand, the Kingdom was one of the the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, and few countries to have pursued a courageous and Ms. Bangura, Special Representative of the Secretary- proactive policy aimed at regularizing the status of General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, and Ms. Nadia clandestine migrants fleeing conflicts or precarious Murad Basee Taha and Ms. Ameena Saeed Hasan, for economic situations. Its policy, based on an integrated their briefings. and comprehensive humanitarian approach, made it Last year, we firmly condemned human trafficking possible for more than 25,000 migrants to integrate in zones affected by armed conflict. Today, the Council socially and economically in Morocco over the past adopted resolution 2331 (2016) on that heinous crime, year. On 12 December, King Mohammed VI ordered and we hope that it will spearhead international efforts the immediate launch of the second phase of the efforts to address human trafficking by terrorist groups. It is to integrate undocumented migrants. certain that human trafficking is the object of attention In conclusion, allow me to emphasize the following on the part of the international community because it points. First of all, an effective response to human is an attack on the fundamental rights and dignity of trafficking must include preventive measures to limit humankind. Terrorist groups carry out the worst forms the potential pool of victims. Secondly, we must of slavery. We have heard alarming accounts today of identify measures to prevent trafficking in persons those practices, which are contrary to all our values fleeing conflicts, including the establishment of and principles. The international community must regular migration channels, respect for the principle of confront that phenomenon, mindful of the fact that such non-refoulement and, where appropriate, a study of their acts lead to disparity and strife, and create a vicious ability to access the labour market in the host country. circle of violence. Thirdly, we must create a human registry, including The large-scale movement of refugees, now an for those living in camps for displaced persons and unprecedented flow, is directly related to trafficking in refugees, as a means of combating the risks of human human beings. The United Nations Office on Drugs and trafficking. Finally, we must effectively implement Crime 2016 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons relevant commitments under Goals 5.2, 8.7 and 16.2 of clearly indicates an increase in the number of victims the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. resulting from the conflicts in Somalia, Syria, the

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Middle East and other regions of the world. For that My country has legislation that criminalizes reason, there is a need to put an end to violence, so as to trafficking in human beings. My country is also a party preserve the dignity of populations as we put an end to to numerous United Nations instruments for the fight the phenomenon of trafficking. against transnational organized crime. We have spared no effort to suppress such crimes by working with all As an international community, it behooves us to of the relevant parties, as well as through our national, consider the problem in a comprehensive manner. We regional and international policies of cooperation. All have faced this challenge for the past few years. A great bodies can contribute to the fight against trafficking in many of us have focused on certain specific areas and criminal organizations, but what about other terrorist human beings, as well as the protection and rehabilitation organizations, such as Boko Haram or Al-Shabaab? of the victims. For example, Jordan, through its What we require is a comprehensive, holistic approach coordination with several United Nations agencies that focuses on development in order to ensure that we and non-governmental organizations, has created can pool our efforts to stand behind the 2030 Agenda an association for Syrian refugee children, aimed at for Sustainable Development and thereby build a world promoting their education and at providing them with of peace that is safe and free from violence. the necessary psychological and social services. Terrorist groups such as Da’esh, Boko Haram Finally, Jordan will continue to spare no effort to or the Lord’s Resistance Army abduct women and fight against trafficking in human beings, especially children, and force them to become combatants or sell that carried out by terrorist groups. We will continue our them as slaves. All such actions can be characterized cooperation aimed at eliminating that phenomenon and as trafficking in human beings. Today, as we consider at supporting protective measures against that scourge. the violence carried out against the Yazidis in Iraq by The President (spoke in Spanish): Before giving Da’esh, Jordan believes that we need to step up our the floor to the next speaker, I would like to inform efforts to fight against trafficking in human beings, those present that, at the present time in our debate, especially by terrorist organizations. That will require we still have to hear more than 20 people on the list multifaceted action on all levels — local, regional and of speakers. I would like to remind speakers to limit international. Within the framework of a strategy for their statements to four minutes. I thank them for prevention, I would like to mention a few elements. their cooperation. First, there is a need to confront extremist thought. I now give the floor to the representative Da’esh is not a Muslim group. It is a terrorist group, and of Paraguay. as such needs to be eliminated. There is a need to spread the values of tolerance and dialogue among religions Mr. Scappini Ricciardi (Paraguay) (spoke in and faiths, and to disseminate the concept of the Spanish): Paraguay expresses its deep sadness and Muslim religion as a religion of tolerance. His Majesty heartfelt condolences to the people and the Government King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein has always stood as a of the Russian Federation in connection with the champion and advocate of those values. There is also a assassination of Ambassador Andrey Karlov in Ankara, need to promote the inclusion of youth in efforts to forge and to the people and the Government of Germany for peace and fight against violent extremism. They must the attack perpetrated in Berlin. We hope that such also be stakeholders in any decisions that are taken. terrible acts will not happen again. Within the framework of the fight against impunity, We express our gratitude for the Secretary-General’s we welcome the recommendations of the Secretary- report (S/2016/949). We welcome the initiative of the General and urge all States that have not yet done so Spanish presidency to convene this open debate on to ratify all the protocols and necessary instruments trafficking in persons in conflict situations. We believe to ensure that we are in a position to fight against that this open debate will make it possible to become trafficking in human beings through strategies that familiar with the opinions of Member States, as well can face up to the challenge. To that end, we should as to try to determine the nexus between that scourge align the existing criteria and create a database on the and violent extremism. That information will allow the phenomenon in areas of conflict. In addition, we should Organization to design policies to confront those issues also mobilize all the necessary resources to do so. in an appropriate and effective way.

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The Security Council, as well as all States Members The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the of the Organization, must contribute to establishing floor to the representative of Slovakia. an effective system for the protection of civilians Mr. Ružička (Slovakia): In a few days, millions in armed conflicts. That system must also take into of people will celebrate the holiday season with account mechanisms for dealing with and combating families and friends, joyously giving and sharing. the trafficking in persons and sexual violence in its Just yesterday, the Security Council was able to broadest sense, as well as violent extremism in relation adopt unanimously resolution 2328 (2016) to deploy to situations of armed conflict. observers to Aleppo — one of many steps to be taken We believe that the Security Council must include, to give millions of refugees and people in need the best in a clear and explicit way, the protection of civilians gift, namely, a decent life in peace. Only several hours in armed conflicts in the mandates of peacekeeping later, we heard about the terrible attacks in Berlin, operations. In situations in which, owing to the Istanbul and Zurich. Our feelings and thoughts are nature of the conflict, those scourges pose significant with the families and friends of those who perished in threats, the mandates must incorporate both preventive those horrible attacks. Our sympathy goes out to our mechanisms and protocols to take care of the victims colleagues from Russia, Germany and Switzerland. But, and to ensure the surrender and accountability of honestly, the four minutes allotted for my intervention the perpetrators. will not be enough to name all the countries that have It is crucial to recall that such violent deeds are had to experience terrorist attacks just this year. exacerbated by restrictive and exclusionary migratory Yet today we are discussing another phenomenon policies, which not only increase the vulnerability of that is taking, or severely affecting, millions of lives, victims but also prevent their identification and access mostly young ones. Modern slavery is happening all to the medical and psychological services required. around us in various forms, both in developed and in In that respect, Paraguay emphasizes the value of developing countries, affecting rich and poor societies, the appropriate education and training of contingents albeit in different ways. Human trafficking is the third- in peacekeeping operations, before and after their largest international criminal industry. It reportedly deployment, on aspects of preventing and combating generates a profit of $32 billion every year. In next such problems, as well as on the care for the victims four minutes of my statement, it will have generated of those crimes. It is critical to prevent the double approximately $250,000. Of the sum total of revenue stigmatization of the victims. generated, $15.5 billion is being made in industrialized We must collaborate on the system for preventing countries. According to the International Labour and combating those scourges. At the same time, we Organization, forced labour in the private economy need to provide care for the victims and to ensure generates an estimated $150 billion in illegal profits the prosecution of those responsible, in a coordinated annually, which is approximately twice the gross fashion and with full respect for States’ sovereignty and domestic product of my country for 2015. for the principle of non-intervention in domestic affairs For every minute that we speak, at least one person and in accordance with international law. Paraguay is trafficked across international borders. Between understands that it is also necessary to address the 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked every year. Of trafficking in persons in conflict situations within the those, 80 per cent are female or children. Trafficking for framework of the General Assembly and in connection forced labour or sexual exploitation or for harvesting with the achievement of the Sustainable Development tissue, cells and organs represents the cruellest type Goals in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, of international organized crime and is well fuelled by specifically Goals 5.2, 8.7 and 16.2. poverty or conflict. We must do more than express our Finally, my country believes that Member States and strong condemnation of trafficking in persons. Modern the United Nations system must cooperate with States slavery undermines human dignity and human rights in conflict and post-conflict situations so as to reinforce and affects human development. Let me make several their institutional capacities to effectively confront the points — seven, to be exact — that Slovakia considers challenges involved in combating such scourges. important in effectively handling this crime.

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First, we need to make better use of the existing “Escaping from a conflict zone or arrival at United Nations Convention against Transnational a sought-after destination does not always shield Organized Crime and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress those fleeing conflict from becoming victims of and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women trafficking” (S/2016/949, para. 5). and Children. The need to promote the universal Enhanced attention should therefore be paid to the ratification of the Convention and to adopt effective international protection of refugees and to addressing national plans and strategies for its implementation is the special needs of migrants in vulnerable situations. a must. At the same time, we need to step up international Second, the Sustainable Development Goals efforts to combat the multidimensional root causes of specifically address human trafficking in the targets of the current refugee and irregular migration crisis and broader forced displacement. Goals 5, 8, and 16. That gives hope that confronting the grave human rights violations that we are addressing Seventh, the United Nations must seize every today will become a priority for all the countries in opportunity to contribute to conflict resolution. In order the world. to counter the spread and intensity of conflict, renewed commitment to prevention and mediation is needed. Third, the nexus between trafficking and conflict- Preventive diplomacy and mediation efforts must be related sexual violence is evident. Armed conflict leads stepped up across the whole United Nations system. to increased trafficking in women and sexual assaults on women and girls. It is crucial that all countries fulfil Today’s adoption of resolution 2331 (2016), which their international obligations concerning women and my country co-sponsored, and the adoption, just over a armed conflict, such as the commitments in the 1995 week ago, of resolution 2322 (2016), aimed at enhancing and fortifying judicial cooperation worldwide, are, Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the in our view, necessary steps towards confronting milestone resolution 1325 (2000). the interrelated global challenges of terrorism and Fourth, protecting trafficking victims and saving trafficking in persons in conflict situations. lives should be of the utmost priority for the entire The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the international community. As stated in the Council’s floor to the representative of Luxembourg. presidential statement issued in December 2015, Mr. Braun (Luxembourg) (spoke in French): I thank “The Security Council urges relevant United the presidency of Spain for having taken the initiative Nations agencies operating in armed conflict and of organizing this important open debate. I welcome post-conflict situations to build their technical the adoption of resolution 2331 (2016), which was the capacity to assess conflict situations for instances culmination of broad consultations outstandingly led of trafficking in persons”. (S/PRST/2015/25). by the Spanish delegation. The resolution ensures that In the post-conflict context, we should be able to this meeting will not be without consequences and that human trafficking in the context of conflict situations better protect, assist and support victims. In a post- will remain a priority for the Council and every State conflict environment in which law enforcement and the Member of the United Nations. justice system are dysfunctional, the United Nations should take effective measures, while respecting Luxembourg aligns itself with the statement made national ownership and the specificities of the country on behalf of the European Union by Ms. Vassiliadou, concerned, aimed at offering technical and planning the Anti-Trafficking Coordinator of the European expertise in reforming security and judicial institutions. Union. I would like to make four points. Fifth, close cooperation between the United First, at the United Nations level, we must strengthen Nations, subregional, regional and cross-regional the link between combating human trafficking and bodies and initiatives should aim at the establishment the implementation of efforts to end sexual violence and grave violations of children’s rights in conflict of a global and efficient cooperation framework. situations. Resolution 2331 (2016) recognizes that Sixth, highlighted by the Secretary-General in link, and we encourage the Security Council and its his report, sanctions committees to implement the provisions

58/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 of that resolution, in particular by strengthening Syria and Iraq, but also in Nigeria, Somalia and Central information-sharing with the Special Representative of Africa. Let us hear their call. the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General floor to the representative of Azerbaijan. for Children and Armed Conflict, so as to be able to more effectively punish individuals involved in human Mr. Aliyev (Azerbaijan) (spoke in Russian): Let me trafficking in conflict areas. start by conveying my condolences to the delegation of the Russian Federation following the tragic death of At the European Union level, my country is Ambassador Andrey Karlov, which took place as the committed to combating human trafficking, which result of a terrorist attack in Ankara. affects vulnerable groups, such as migrants and refugees. Since 16 July 2015, we have provided a naval (spoke in English) surveillance plane to Operation Sophia, the European We also express our sincere condolences to the naval force authorized by the Security Council, delegation of Germany in connection with the barbaric which contributes to the European Union’s efforts terrorist attack that took place yesterday in Berlin, to dismantle the economic machinery of trafficking which claimed the lives of innocent people. networks and human traffickers in the southern part of At the outset, I would like to thank the Spanish the Mediterranean Sea. presidency for convening this open ministerial debate At the regional level, in the framework of our on trafficking in persons in conflict situations, in chairmanship of the Economic Union of Belgium, connection with the agenda item “Maintenance of the Netherlands and Luxembourg (Benelux), we international peace and security”, as well as for have endeavoured to bring together relevant actors, the concept note on the topic (S/2016/1031, annex). including non-governmental organizations, with a view Azerbaijan is strongly committed to combating to better caring for the victims of human trafficking. trafficking in persons and other related criminal In particular, we signed a declaration confirming offences. We share the concern over the scale and the resolve of the Benelux countries to strengthen number of such challenges. The situation has recently cooperation among accommodation and assistance deteriorated owing to increased violence, terrorist centres for victims of human trafficking, judicial activities and humanitarian crises. authorities and police agencies, among others. Azerbaijan is a party to the relevant international and regional instruments, including the United Nations Finally, at the national level, we are in the process Convention against Transnational Organized Crime of completing our legislative arsenal. A bill is currently and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish before Parliament that proposes in particular to punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children any client soliciting the services of a sexually exploited and the Council of Europe Convention on Action victim of human trafficking. In the humanitarian area, against Trafficking in Human Beings. In implementing we ensure that the protection of vulnerable people, its international obligations, Azerbaijan has adopted including victims of human trafficking, will be included a comprehensive legal framework for effective action in the programmes that we support in conflict areas. against human trafficking and has developed a national The poignant account of the victims of human action plan aimed at defining the key responsibilities trafficking must motivate all of us to do more at all of the competent State bodies and at strengthening levels to end that scourge, which is fuelled by war and, and facilitating their coordination. Furthermore, an in turn, fuels organized crime and terrorist networks. inter-agency task force, led by a national coordinator, Last Thursday, our Minister for Foreign and European and a specialized police unit within the Ministry of Affairs, Mr. Jean Asselborn, had the honour of Internal Affairs have been created. Additionally, the welcoming Nadia Mourad and Lamiya Aji Bachar to national system for the identification of and support to Luxembourg. Those two Yezidi persons, who had been trafficking victims has been established. relegated to the status of slaves by Da’esh, managed to In recent years, the need for more international escape from that hell. Today they bear witness to the fate attention and redoubled efforts aimed at combating of too many civilians — men, women and children — in trafficking in persons has significantly increased. In

16-45113 59/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Member Rajoy Brey, President of the Government of Spain, States committed to taking immediate and effective for presiding over this meeting. We also welcome the measures aimed at eradicating and ending modern Executive Director of the United Nations Office on slavery and human trafficking. In its presidential Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr. Yury Fedotov. We statement of 16 December 2015 (S/PRST/2015/25), the commend the work of many United Nations entities, Security Council particularly noted that trafficking in including the leading role played by UNODC, the persons undermines the rule of law and contributes to Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for other forms of transnational organized crime, which Refugees and the International Labour Organization, can exacerbate conflict and foster insecurity. We are as well as the work of other international bodies, concerned that civilian populations are often viewed including the International Organization for Migration, by armed groups as resources or commodities to be whose work has clearly revealed the methodology and trafficked in, according to the report of the Secretary- motivation of traffickers and the demographics of those General (S/2016/949) and the presidency’s concept who are vulnerable to trafficking. They also gave us an note. As the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in indication of the scale and location of this most serious persons, especially women and children, noted in his current problem. latest report (A/HRC/32/41), conflicts are prolonged by All those present today are united in the conviction actors who take advantage of situations of lawlessness that trafficking in persons in armed conflicts is an evil to reap personal gain through lucrative activities, such that must be faced and overcome through effective as trafficking. international cooperation. Recent years have made The international legal framework for combating very clear how armed conflicts not only create flows human trafficking is based on the rules operating of vulnerable people who are at risk of trafficking, but within the relevant branches of international law that also spawns terrorist and criminal groups that view ensure protection in all situations, including in armed people in such situations as resources to exploit and conflicts. Success in fighting criminal activities during traffic in, so as to bring in revenue and gain power. conflicts, including human trafficking, requires, first The peaceful settlement of armed conflicts is and foremost, strong commitment to the relevant necessary in order to create the proper environment binding obligations, as well as resolve to put an end for addressing human rights violations and restoring to unlawful situations and to ensure that dispute the physical integrity of the victims of trafficking. settlement and conflict resolution do not serve to That should also be a cornerstone of the mandate of prolong and sustain such trafficking. Dispute settlement peacekeeping operations. It should be one of the and conflict resolution must be based on respect for pivotal prerequisites for protecting civilians and and strict compliance with international law. It is also combating human trafficking. The Group of Friends essential to address conflict-related violations and United against Trafficking in Persons encourages the abuses of human rights through all available means. strengthening of cooperation between the Inter-Agency Strengthening both international and national justice Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons and responses are critically important in order to ensure other international organizations, as well as among accountability for human trafficking in armed conflict. Member States. The Group of Friends does that through, The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the inter alia, its role in coordinating and cooperating floor to the representative of Bahrain. with the Global Programme against Trafficking in Human Beings. Mr. Alrowaiei (Bahrain): I have the honour of The Group of Friends believes that stronger delivering this statement on behalf of the 24 States cooperation between Member States and the relevant members of the Group of Friends United against agencies would result in more effective and rapid Trafficking in Persons. responses to the evolving challenges relating to We would like to thank the Spanish presidency trafficking in persons. By working together and for organizing this important open debate and for the implementing and improving the global strategy for opportunity to have a genuine and productive dialogue collecting, analysing and sharing data, we can make it with Member States. We would like to express our easier for countries, non-governmental organizations particular gratitude to His Excellency Mr. Mariano and international agencies to share accurate information

60/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 on a timely basis. That would enable all parties 2331 (2016). We also welcome the participation of concerned to target resources more effectively in their the President of the Government of Spain, Mr. Rajoy responses to trafficking — in terms of increasing Brey’s, in today’s discussion. awareness, investigations and prosecutions and victim Human trafficking constitutes a violation of human identification and support. In that regard, the Group of rights and an offence to the dignity and integrity of Friends also encourages the international community, human beings. It is also a form of serious transnational especially donor countries and international financial organized crime, which bears immense costs on the institutions, to provide the necessary financial resources social and economic fabric of our societies. The grave to the UNODC Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of scale of the humanitarian emergencies, the majority Human Trafficking in order to help it continue with of which are man-made conflicts, is increasing the its operations. number of vulnerable people. The rising trends in forced The Group of Friends is committed to working displacement is heightening the risks for the human together with its partners around the world to eliminate trafficking of those displaced. Women and children are the scourge of human trafficking. We are convinced particularly more affected by these developments. that the upcoming review of the United Nations Global Meanwhile, the expanding human mobility, Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, which which is essentially a positive contribution to our will take place in 2017, represents a critical moment in globalized word, brings together new challenges and analysing and improving shared international efforts. responsibilities. For this we should better coordinate The international community can be assured of the full our efforts against migrant smuggling and human support and cooperation of the Group of Friends for an trafficking. The use of human trafficking by terrorist effective review of the Global Plan of Action. We hope organizations, such as Da’esh, Boko Haram and that resolution 2331 (2016), adopted today, will provide Al-Shabaab in conflict zones, is truly worrying. In a strong impetus for establishing counter-trafficking connection to this, the nexus between conflict-related measures in situations of armed conflict, especially sexual violence and human trafficking needs to be the trafficking in persons that is being carried out by better understood. terrorist groups. Turkey remains strongly committed to eradicating Despite the important role that the Security Council human trafficking. As a transnational threat, it requires can play in countering trafficking in persons in armed a commensurate and collective response. To this end, conflict, we still believe in the leading role of the Turkey introduced numerous administrative and legal General Assembly in all matters related to trafficking measures in combating human trafficking through in persons. prevention, protection, prosecution and cooperation. In conclusion, we affirm the commitment of the At the international level, Turkey is a party to the members of the group to the obligations under the Palermo Convention and its supplementary protocols. United Nations Convention against Transnational At the domestic level, our efforts are focused on two Organized Crime and Protocol to Prevent, Suppress tracks: enhancing our legislation and improving the and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women implementation of our obligations. The National Task and Children, supplementing the United Nations Force on the Fight against Human Trafficking was Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. established in 2002, and so far two national action plans in the fight against human trafficking were developed The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the and put into practice. These plans aim to achieve the floor to the representative of Turkey. implementation of international standards in the fight Mr. Begeç (Turkey): At the outset, let me reiterate against human trafficking, eradicate the phenomenon once again our words of condemnation, condolence and in Turkey and strengthen relevant institutions solidarity to the Russian and German delegations with through enhancing harmonization with the European regard to the latest terrorist attacks. Union acquis. We thank the Secretary-General for his report More recently, a regulation on combatting human (S/2016/949) and our briefers for their presentations. trafficking and the protection of victims was published Turkey welcomes the adoption today of resolution in the Official Gazette in March. In order to implement

16-45113 61/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 this in a more effective way, the Department for the to guide our discussion. We also would like to thank Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking was our briefers for sharing their perspectives on this established under the Ministry of the Interior. The important subject. Department is responsible for combatting human Conflict situations expose civilians, especially trafficking and the protection of victims through the women and girls, to grave dangers, such as human implementation of various projects. One example is trafficking, sexual violence and slavery. Terrorist a helpline for victims of human trafficking, which groups, such as the Islamic State in Iraq and the Sham was developed in cooperation with the International and Boko Haram, operating with complete disregard Organization for Migration. Another example is the for international law and international humanitarian dual services, entitled “Victim Support Programme” law, have introduced a new dimension to trafficking in and “Voluntary and Safe Return Programme”, which persons and the sexual exploitation of women and girls. aim to better assist the victims of human trafficking. Their outrageous acts of depravity have shocked In order to address trafficking in the context of the world and drawn unprecedented attention to the displacement, we should recalibrate our ongoing efforts plight of women and girls in conflict situations. The in line with the commitments that we have undersigned war crimes and crimes against humanity that they in the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants. commit must not go unpunished. We are pleased to As the biggest refugee hosting country, with over state that Boko Haram has been militarily defeated and 3 million Syrians and Iraqis, Turkey is undertaking while some success has been achieved in liberating a the necessary measures to prevent human trafficking good number of the women and girls they held hostage, among those who already fled the horrors of conflict. we shall not relent until all of their hostages are freed We welcome the strong condemnation in today’s and reunited with their loved ones. We acknowledge resolution of the activities of Da’esh related to human the important role our neighbours — Benin, Cameroon, trafficking and sexual and gender-based violence. Chad and the Niger — are playing in the fight against Turkey remains one of the primary targets of Da’esh’s Boko Haram. threat and recently faced the most ruthless form of its The concept note raises very significant issues and terrorism. In line with relevant Council resolutions, we I am pleased to share our perspectives on some of them. have taken comprehensive and effective measures to With regard to how the Security Council can better combat Da’esh’s finances and disrupt and prevent this integrate the issue of human trafficking in conflict Organization from raising, moving and using funds. situations in its work, we in Nigeria believe that this We thank Spain for contributing to the Council’s could be achieved through enhanced engagement of the work on trafficking in persons by organizing this Council with the United Nations Office on Drugs and debate. Due to its unique geographical location and the Crime, the International Organization for Migration, the proximity to today’s conflicts, Turkey will continue Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate to display a decisive and progressive approach to and other relevant actors. human trafficking. With regard to how the United Nations can work The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the closely together to fight human trafficking in conflict floor to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal situations and in the context of terrorism while Republic of Nigeria. delivering its respective mandates, our view is that this could be facilitated by improved coordination. As Mr. Onyeama (Nigeria): I would like, at the outset, different agencies have different capacities in terms of to express my sincere condolences and total shock at expertise, a coordinated approach would enhance the the dastardly assassination of the Russian Ambassador overall effectiveness of the United Nations in the fight in Turkey. I think this highlights again what we all have against human trafficking and terrorism. to do at the international level to really tackle these Concerning how Member States can better terrorist crimes. implement applicable legal obligations to combat human The Nigerian delegation thanks you, Mr. President, trafficking, we see aneed for greater commitment for organizing this open debate and for the well- to the implementation of relevant international researched concept note (S/2016/1031, annex) provided instruments. The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and

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Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and concern. Allow me to share some initiatives that we Children is a case in point. It not only provides the have undertaken in that area: first agreed international definition of trafficking in First, the Philippines has made the protection of persons, but also establishes a framework of obligations Filipino migrants one of its foreign policy pillars. We and standards for Member States to elaborate national endeavour to protect our migrant workers from human responses to fight human trafficking. Applying those trafficking and exploitation by utilizing a victim- international instruments and relevant domestic laws is centred and human rights-based approach. Recently, crucial to ensuring accountability for those who engage we have worked with the United States of America and in human trafficking in conflict situations. other partners on the Migrants in Countries in Crisis If humanitarian action is to effectively support initiative to improve responses for migrants in countries the victims of human trafficking and sexual violence, experiencing conflict or natural disaster. we see a need for humanitarian agencies to engage Second, a solid legal framework, coupled with the services of relevant experts, while paying special strong institutions capable of implementing the attention to the gender dimension of the problem. relevant regulations, is also essential. The Philippines The fight against human trafficking in conflict National Strategic Action Plan Against Trafficking in situations is beyond the capacity of any one State. It Persons uses a migrant-centred approach to the entire requires concerted action at the global and national migration cycle — from pre-employment, transit and levels, complemented by the strong leadership of on-site employment to return migration and eventual the Security Council. We seize this opportunity to reintegration — which has resulted in successful reaffirm our commitment to continuing to work with prosecutions of perpetrators of human trafficking. all stakeholders at the multilateral and bilateral levels Third, adopting a one-country team and in our common fight against human trafficking. multi-stakeholder approach that consolidates the The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the mandates, efforts, resources and interests of the duty- floor to the representative of the Philippines. bearers and stakeholders to come up with a robust response, has proven to be effective. It has resulted in Ms. Yparraguirre (Philippines): I wish to thank the mainstreaming of interventions down to the grass- Spain for convening this open debate on trafficking in roots level and in promoting awareness. persons in conflict situations. I also thank the briefers for their informative presentations. Fourth, in the context of counter-terrorism, it is important to examining trafficking corridors and I share the messages of sympathy expressed in the the business flow of trafficking. That has enabled Chamber today for the victims of the terrorist attacks in the Philippines to strategically locate victims and Berlin and Ankara. traffickers in the entire process, especially at critical In the interests of time, I will read an abridged points of intervention where victims are the most version of the Philippine statement. The complete text visible and can be rescued; to identify critical points will be circulated in due course. in the business flow to deal the strongest blow to the operations of trafficking syndicates; and to expose The problem of trafficking in persons in conflict and develop strategies to block new means employed situations is multifaceted as it cuts into other equally by traffickers. pressing issues, such as migration, counter-terrorism, gender-based violence, money-laundering, poverty Fifth, in the socioeconomic context and as a alleviation and the protection of children. It therefore prevention measure against violent extremism, requires a multifaceted response that seeks to understand poverty alleviation programmes targeting conflict- the problem from a political, socioeconomic and even torn areas should integrate trafficking in persons as cultural perspective, and brings together Governments, an indicator and ensure access to economic services civil society and the private sector on both the domestic and opportunities, making the victims less vulnerable and international fronts. to trafficking. The Philippines considers trafficking in persons, Sixth, armed conflict, unstable peace and other including in conflict situations, to be a core national situations increase the vulnerabilities of children

16-45113 63/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 and youth to recruitment into civilian armed groups in all circumstances, such as conflict situations. To and rebel groups. Government efforts are focused on that end, we must on the one hand prevent such crimes preventing the recruitment and use of child soldiers, while addressing the ongoing situation by dismantling vigorously investigating allegations, holding the transnational organized gangs and punishing criminals perpetrators accountable and training front-line officers severely; and on the other, support the physical and on appropriate methods to assist children apprehended emotional rehabilitation of persons affected and restore from armed groups. their freedom, integrity and dignity, with a special focus on the most vulnerable groups, such as children, Seventh, to mitigate the vulnerabilities of women girl children, adolescents and women. and children in conflict situations to sexual violence and trafficking, the Philippines has instituted a gender- In that spirit, Peru has been implementing its based violence cluster composed of law enforcers regulatory framework and public policy to address and social welfare service providers that specialize this crime through, inter alia, a law against trafficking in gender issues. The clusters facilitate access to in persons and the illicit migrant trafficking, which protective information, psychosocial and trauma- criminalizes the practice in its penal code and establishes informed care, protective custody, and rehabilitation responsibilities; the National Plan of Action against and reintegration through social programmes, such as Trafficking in Persons, which constitutes a public education, employment and enterprise. policy instrument; and the National Policy against Trafficking in Persons and All Forms of Exploitation, One challenge today is the lack of accurate data which has four main pillars: implementation targeted to measure the extent of trafficking in persons in and customized to the local and regional realities of the conflict situations. We welcome the recommendations country; attention to the social and cultural factors that in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2016/949) on the lead to trafficking in persons and the exploitation of development of a data-collection system, whereby individuals; the efficient prosecution and punishment Member States can benefit from an international of the crime; and care, protection and comprehensive structure that integrates and shares intelligence, rehabilitation for the victims. studies and mechanisms that would help identify, quantify and assess the prevalence of trafficking in Nevertheless, we are of the view that any national persons in conflict areas, and provide expert advice and effort will have limited results if States do not cooperate technical assistance in the formulation, implementation with one another. Because it is a transnational crime, and validation of programmes, such as the National we believe that prudent, coordinated and integrated Action Plan, so that national initiatives are responsive approaches among neighbouring States, in particular. and effective. As stipulated in paragraph 17 of resolution 2331 (2016), one way to do that is by sharing useful and timely The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the information in order to achieve the desired results. floor to the representative of Peru. Another approach to international cooperation that Mr. Tenya Hasegawa (Peru) (spoke in Spanish): At could be considered is the one that we refer to as building the outset, the delegation of Peru expresses its strongest legal safety belts, based on a set of bilateral agreements. condemnation of the attacks that took place yesterday in Peru’s Foreign Ministry has been employing that Ankara and Berlin, while also offering its solidarity to approach with our neighbours; to date we have reached the peoples and Governments of Russia and Germany. agreements with Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador and we are currently in talks with Argentina, Brazil, Chile Peru commends the Government of Spain on the and Paraguay. welcome initiative to organize this open debate and for By the same token, we believe that that cooperation the submission of resolution 2331 (2016) calling on us must be a corollary to the relations that States could to strongly condemn and combat trafficking in persons develop with the different entities of the United Nations in conflict situations. system. In that regard, we highlight the important role As a democratic State, Peru is respectful of human played by the United Nations Office on Drugs and rights and thus of the supreme value of human life and Crime and we hope that that cooperation will continue liberty. That is why, for Peru, human trafficking or and extended if possible, in particular in the areas where slavery in the twenty-first century is a horrendous crime there have been requests for this crime to be combated.

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Peru reaffirms its commitment to combating human accessible at border crossings and 24 hours a day, seven trafficking and, in that regard, we have co-sponsored days a week. trafficking in persons in conflict situation presented Finally, with regard to coordinating partnership by the Spanish Government as a way to continue to efforts, INTERPOL leads two dedicated working support the various efforts and initiatives to address groups: the Group of Experts on Human Trafficking that important issue. that meets annually and the Specialist Operational The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the Network against Migrant Smuggling. We also organize floor to Mr. Roux. an annual conference on human trafficking open to both private and public sector stakeholders. The most Mr. Roux (spoke in French): Let me begin by recent conference was held in Lugano in October and reiterating our support to the Russian delegation and brought together 213 participants. Our 2017 programme extending our sympathy and solidarity following is already quite heavy and is focused on training yesterday’s events. and operational support, in particular in conflict On behalf of INTERPOL, I thank Spain for having areas, in order to dismantle criminal networks that convened today’s very important meeting and for are operational. We will always be at the service of allowing us to speak on a subject that is one of our the Council. main priorities. INTERPOL is a global institution for The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the police cooperation that is dedicated to supporting its floor to the representative of Norway. 190 member States in combating the hateful atrocities that violate fundamental human rights. To that end, we Mr. Pedersen (Norway): I have the honour to make this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries: have built a dedicated team focused specifically on all Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden and my own aspects of human trafficking. It offers many support country, Norway. and cooperation services in the areas of prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership, both as the Trafficking in persons is one of the greatest human central level in Lyon and at regional offices. Our rights challenges of our time. Such crimes are committed support to member States is above all operational by by organized criminal networks and armed groups on assisting their police forces in dismantling criminal an increasingly large scale, sometimes supported by human trafficking networks that are very active in State actors, often with impunity. Billions of dollars several regions. are generated each year — money that fuels conflict and hampers development. Human trafficking takes Field operations are preceded by preparatory on various forms of exploitation. We know that women workshops to ensure that operatives have the skills, and children are particularly vulnerable. Armed groups qualifications and key resources, as well as the national and criminal networks abuse women and children for partnerships and partnerships with non-governmental sexual slavery, forced labour or as child soldiers. For organizations required to lend support to victims. terrorist groups like the so-called Islamic State, Boko Between 2009 and 2016, such operational activities Haram and Al-Qaida, trafficking and slavery are tools have enabled over 3,000 victims to be saved, more than to humiliate and frighten enemies and to make money 320 people smugglers to be arrested and over 1,500 for their operations. We have all seen the horrific police officers and public officials from member States reports of abuse from the areas where they operate. to be trained. The Secretary General’s report on conflict-related With regard to specific tools and capacities, sexual violence (S/2016/361/Rev.1) documents that INTERPOL offers a wide range of services to its member smugglers are requiring sex as payment of passage. States such as a regularly updated training manual for The report confirms that there is an evolving criminal investigators, red notices for tracing criminals and infrastructure designed to exploit refugees and suspects, locating victims and for collecting information migrants through human trafficking and sexual slavery. that could be useful in investigations and finally, It will require a strong and concerted international nominal databases containing information on stolen, effort to oppose such powerful criminal networks. lost or forged travel documents, digital fingerprints International organizations and instruments such as and an image databank for investigators. Such tools are the United Nations Convention against Transnational

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Organized Crime must be better utilized to ensure fuels insecurity and accentuates vulnerability. In a word, effective international cooperation across borders and it attacks fundamental freedoms and human rights. regions. Civil society also has a key role to play. As The intolerable images that reach us from the main human trafficking and armed conflicts are converging theatres of conflict, particularly Syria, but also from all and becoming global security challenges, we need over the Middle East and Africa, speak volumes about to develop combined tools from the security and the dreadful suffering and vulnerability of children, development communities. refugees, displaced families and people uprooted from We need to improve cooperation through data- their homes — potential victims who often become sharing and monitoring between countries and across prey to organized criminal intermediaries. The moving United Nations entities. We need better gender testimony this morning from Ms. Ameena Saeed Hasan aggregated data and documentation in order to develop and Ms. Nadia Murad Basee Taha brought home to us effective responses and services for victims of sexual the daily tragedies of people such as the Yazidis in Iraq. exploitation. The Secretary-General’s reports and Armed conflicts, whether the product of civil war or today’s open debate are important steps forward. The regional or local conflicts related to terrorism, can result 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development also gives in extreme versions of the consequences of the kind of us an important platform to tackle trafficking in a more coercion usually associated with human trafficking. holistic manner. Sustainable Development Goal 16 on Even peacekeeping operations are not exempt from peaceful societies specifically calls for the end to abuse, human trafficking. Among others, my country — where exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti torture against and of children. (MINUSTAH) mandated by the Security Council has The Nordic countries are strongly committed to been deployed for 12 years — has been targeted by the tackling all forms of trafficking and organized crime. Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially We are already deeply engaged in anti-trafficking women and children, who has strongly condemned the programmes, in partnership with developing rise in cases of violence, abuse and sexual exploitation countries and regional organizations. We believe that involving women and children directly related to the strengthening multilateral cooperation and partnerships deployment of peacekeeping forces in conflict zones. A are the only way to put an end to the deadly business of number of voices have already been raised, particularly human trafficking. in organizations devoted to the defence of human rights, to highlight the inadequacy of stakeholders’ responses, The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the including the United Nations, to victims of exploitation floor to the representative of Haiti. in assistance programmes and conflict, post-conflict Mr. Bellerive (Haiti) (spoke in French): First, I and reconstruction situations. The intolerable violence would like to extend my condolences to the Russian done to the victims of trafficking in persons in conflict Federation and to Germany following the tragic situations is especially tragic and demands broad, events in Ankara and Berlin. We firmly condemn such urgent and effective action. unspeakable crimes. Even if we rightly consider that armed conflicts On behalf of the President and Government of the exacerbate the factors that leave people vulnerable to human trafficking, we must not lose sight of the fact Republic of Haiti, I thank the Spanish presidency of that its underlying causes are poverty, unemployment, the Security Council for convening today’s high-level the absence of socioeconomic prospects, gender- debate on human trafficking in conflict situations. I take based violence, discrimination and marginalization, this opportunity to commend the Spanish presidency as emphasized in the United Nations Global Plan of of the Council and to offer congratulations on today’s Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. The answer highly inspired initiative. to the problem therefore depends largely on the creation Just a year ago, the Security Council highlighted of a secure environment and conditions conducive to the adverse effects of human trafficking. Trafficking the socioeconomic development, growth and expansion undermines the rule of law. It promotes other forms of of individuals and communities. We must therefore transnational organized crime, exacerbates conflicts, tackle the source of the problem.

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That is why the Government of Haiti believes of Haiti hopes that the United Nations will continue to that in combating human trafficking, in general, and be at its side in order to help it acquire the necessary in conflict situations in particular, it is essential to public infrastructure to pull itself out of the gutter and act simultaneously on two major tracks: accelerating focus resolutely on growth, sustainable development development and strengthening world security, two and improving its living conditions. pillars that are also mutually reinforcing. The Republic Trafficking in persons is a serious threat to of Haiti supports the United Nations in its indefatigable humankind and to human dignity and development. search for solutions to long-standing regional conflicts I hope that the dialogue begun today in the and to ongoing and potential local clashes that add to Security Council will result in concrete, practical the flow of uprooted and displaced persons, refugees and migrants and, as a result, fuel human trafficking. recommendations, whose implementation will make We are in favour of any measure that is likely to a major contribution to intensifying the fight against contribute to international humanitarian intervention every aspect of this scourge, one of the worst forms of in conflict zones by ensuring better care and protection modern slavery. for the most vulnerable groups, those likely to be The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the prey to organized crime. We particularly support the floor to the representative of Panama. importance of taking a more realistic approach that focuses on preventing trafficking and exploitation Ms. Flores Herrera (Panama) (spoke in Spanish): where they are likely problems in areas of transit, crisis I would first like to express our solidarity with the or actual or potential conflict. victims of yesterday’s attacks in Germany, Turkey and Yemen, and to offer our sympathies and condolences to Similarly, Haiti intends to be fully involved in our colleagues from the Russian Federation. global action against trafficking in persons, as well as in international and regional mechanisms countering I would like to welcome Mr. Mariano Rajoy Brey, terrorism and organized crime. Over the past few years, President of the Government of Spain, to today’s open in accordance with the Global Plan of Action and the debate and to commend his country for its commitment Work Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons in the to bringing to this important forum subjects that are Western Hemisphere of the Organization of American so pertinent to human rights, particularly the one States, Haiti has enacted a range of measures designed under discussion today, trafficking in persons, on to prevent, suppress and punish trafficking in persons, which the Security Council unanimously adopted particularly women and children. With the help of the resolution 2331 (2016) this morning. We also thank United Nations, including MINUSTAH, the Haitian the Secretary-General and the briefers for their authorities have implemented various programmes important contributions and the Special Rapporteur on aimed at improving the protection of human rights, trafficking in persons, especially women and children, including strengthening its judiciary and security for her thematic report (A/71/303), aimed at raising forces, which have borne fruit. At the same time, other the international community’s awareness of the forms efforts, focused on reducing poverty, marginalization, and nature of trafficking in persons in situations of exclusion and discrimination have helped to mitigate conflict and particularly its effects on women and some of the factors that leave various groups vulnerable children. Ms. Nadia Murad Basee Taha, the Goodwill to trafficking. Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking, is a living example of that. But we are aware that much remains to be done to increase the effectiveness of the fight against human Panama fully supports international actions trafficking and protect its victims. Happily, Haiti based on the commitment of the Palermo Protocol has just reached an important stage in the process supplementing the United Nations Convention against of consolidating democracy and the rule of law with Transnational Organized Crime, which, in defining its holding of legislative and presidential elections in trafficking in persons, provides us with a common November and the forthcoming announcement of a basis for preventing it, punishing offenders and taking new President of the Republic. The renewed stability measures to protect its victims, with a view to dealing of Haiti’s institutions is opening new horizons for its with the challenges that this particular kind of organized people. At this historic turning point, the Government crime poses for us.

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Conscious of its vulnerabilities as a transit route Finally, it is also timely for us to review preventive and migration destination, Panama now has a cross- action in keeping with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable cutting national commission against trafficking in Development. Our country is one of the 40 countries persons that has authority to act in the various different that next year will submit its voluntary national review areas where victims need help. We have also worked to in the framework of the High-Level Political Forum on make the changes needed to update our legislation so Sustainable Development, a platform that we consider that it can work more effectively to prevent, punish and essential in reporting not only on human trafficking, eradicate trafficking in persons. In November, President but also on human slavery in conflict and post- Varela Rodríguez renewed Panama’s firm commitment conflict situations affecting women, children and other to combating what we term modern slavery, which minorities. includes human trafficking, after our ratification of the 2014 Protocol of the Forced Labour Convention. It is The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the unthinkable that in the twenty-first century more than floor to the representative of Montenegro. 20 million people are victims of this scourge — often Mr. Perović (Montenegro): I would like to thank double victims, at the mercy of both organized crime the Spanish presidency for organizing this timely open and drug trafficking. debate on trafficking in persons in conflict situations and The work of international agencies such as the for preparing an informative concept note (S/2016/1031, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) annex). Allow me to thank you, Mr. President, for the and the International Organization for Migration is manner in which you have conducted the affairs of no less important. Their support to States in drafting the Council. I also thank the briefers for their input in legislation, building national strategies and assisting the debate. with resources for implementing them is very valuable Montenegro welcomes the adoption today of and increasingly necessary. UNODC’s Blue Heart resolution 2331 (2016) and associates itself with the Campaign against Human Trafficking, launched in statement delivered by the observer of the European March 2009, has made a positive contribution to Union. I would like, however, to make some additional raising awareness, encouraging participation and remarks in my national capacity. inspiring action. We have seen how ever country is affected by One of the significant challenges to prosecuting trafficking, whether it is a country of origin, transit and punishing this crime is the collection of data or destination for the victims. The latest report of and evidence, on which we can share best practices with the goal of defeating this increasingly worrying the Secretary-General (S/2016/949) and the briefings reality that connects us across our borders. Our have painted a disturbing picture. We welcome the national commission has reported that in the past two Secretary-General’s report, which notes the linkages years Panama has dismantled 13 human trafficking between conflict situations and trafficking in persons. organizations, rescued 121 victims and detained 20 It is unfortunate that women and children account for traffickers. In addition to strengthening institutions in the vast majority of trafficking victims, which also order to combat trafficking and improving coordination include boys and men, as human traffickers target between Government agencies that deal with trafficking, the most fragile, exhausted, desperate and vulnerable Panama has also conducted awareness-raising and societal groups. prevention activities, including seminars, workshops Human trafficking in conflict is a growing for officials and journalists and debates with experts. concern, particularly in the context of the current Panama believes that the United Nations has a critical migration crisis but also due to the increased use of role to play in the prevention and ultimate elimination social media platforms and new technologies to recruit of trafficking. We recommend strengthening the joint victims. Institutionalized sexual slavery and the forced work of the Security Council and the Human Rights recruitment of children as suicide bombers and the Council, for example, using tools such as the Universal victims of organ traffickers have become horrifying Periodic Review to monitor the implementation of spirals within this negative phenomenon. The use the legal framework for the prevention, treatment and of slave by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant elimination of trafficking in persons in armed conflict. and Boko Haram is not the problem of only certain

68/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 countries. Like today’s conflicts, the problem has are also vital to block criminals from finding become international and no region is immune. safe haven. In that regard, Montenegro has signed cooperation protocols with neighbouring countries It is unacceptable that this crime has become one of Albania and Kosovo. the fastest-growing activities of transnational criminal organizations, with widespread violations of human At the international level, the Security Council’s rights that are not condemned while those responsible role is highly important, including through the sanctions are not held accountable, despite the efforts of the United regime against the Islamic State and Al-Qaida. As Nations and other international bodies, Governments the Secretary-General has made clear, the trafficking and civil society groups. We have to enforce the law of women and girls and their sexual enslavement and pursue the criminals who exploit victims in a brutal are a source of financing for the Islamic State and a manner. This is a global threat that can be found in recruitment tool. Every Member State needs to play its many conflict areas and, as such, requires a response at part in updating the list of designated individuals and the national, regional and international levels. entities that are engaged in trafficking activities. In Montenegro, our focus has been on prevention All victims should see an end to their suffering. and education, criminalizing trafficking in persons, They deserve protection and support, as well as justice disrupting criminal and terrorist networks and and opportunity. We therefore need to redouble our addressing related crimes. In that regard, we are efforts at all levels and address that pressing issue in a working closely with the United Nations Office way that will provide real results on the ground. on Drugs and Crime and in partnership with the The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the International Organization for Migration, UNICEF and floor to the representative of Kazakhstan. the European Union. Mr. Tumysh (Kazakhstan): We would like to join We support international peace operations as an others in condemning the terrorist attacks that took efficient and dynamic instrument to promote respect place in Ankara and Berlin yesterday. We express our for human rights and build sustainable institutions in deep condolences to the Russian Federation and to conflict areas. In today’s conflicts, United Nations Germany. peacekeeping operations are more involved in protecting civilians than monitoring ceasefires. That is why peace Kazakhstan aligns itself with the statement operations should use new technologies to strengthen delivered by the representative of the Kingdom of their intelligence-gathering capacities. In preparing Bahrain on behalf of the 24 States members of the Montenegrin soldiers to take part in peace operations Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking. and activities, the Government office for the fight We commend the tireless efforts and special against trafficking in human beings, in cooperation with expertise of the United Nations Office on Drugs and the Ministry of Defence, conducts regular trainings on Crime (UNODC) and other relevant United Nations the fight against human trafficking. system organizations. We also value UNODC’s able Montenegro strongly condemns cases of sexual coordination of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group exploitation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, against Trafficking in Persons and sound management as such criminal activity and abuse have no place of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for under any circumstance in the United Nations flagship Victims of Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women activity. It is our collective duty to ensure thorough and Children. We support strengthened coordination investigations into those cases, as well as accountability between the Inter-Agency Coordination Group and and justice for the victims. Zero tolerance and zero Member States to enhance the effectiveness of the impunity must prevail as our only options in order to response to the current challenges of human trafficking. avoid tarnishing the credibility of the United Nations We reaffirm our commitment to the landmark once again. United Nations Global Plan of Action against Counter-trafficking activities should start at the Trafficking in Persons, as well as the United Nations outset of any crisis and before evidence of trafficking Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and exploitation appears. Increased regional and and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish international cooperation and sharing of information Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and

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Children, supplementing the Convention to direct to support resolution 2331 (2016) and reaffirms its coordinated and inclusive responses. We therefore call strong commitment to reaching visible results in upon Member States to universalize the ratification of combating trafficking in human beings. all relevant anti-trafficking legal instruments. The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the The threat posed by terrorist organizations is a floor to the representative of Portugal. matter of special concern for Kazakhstan. General Mr. Mendonça e Moura (Portugal): I would Assembly resolution, 70/291 on the United Nations like to thank the Spanish presidency for convening Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy review, recognized this ministerial open debate and congratulate you, the nexus between trafficking in persons and Mr. President, on the adoption of the first Security terrorism. Human trafficking is a critical component of the financial flows of terrorist groups and money- Council resolution on trafficking in human beings in laundering by organized crime networks, which pose situations of conflict, which my country is proud to a threat to international peace and security. Hence, we co-sponsor (resolution 2331 (2016)). urge States to mobilize a stronger and more vigilant I thank the Secretary-General, the Executive global response. Director of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, We believe that it is critical and mandatory to and Ms. Zainab Bangura, Special Representative on train all peacekeeping and other personnel deployed in Sexual Violence in Conflict, for their briefings. conflict and post-conflict zones to respond effectively Trafficking in human beings is one of the most to trafficking in persons, with training in gender serious violations of human rights and constitutes an sensitivity and prevention of sexual exploitation and offence to the dignity and integrity of the human being. abuse, especially those perpetuated by peacekeepers. Every year, millions of men, women and children Peace and development are the foundations of stable are victims of human trafficking for exploitation, society and human well-being, and need enormous which includes prostitution and other forms of sexual resources for poverty eradication, education, exploitation, forced labor and services, slavery and employment and provision of services. Kazakhstan similar practices, involuntary servitude, and removal of has therefore proposed that Member States consider organs and other forms of exploitation. It is a complex allocating annually 1 per cent of their defence budget reality, transnational in most cases, often committed to the United Nations Sustainable Development within the framework of criminal organizations, which Goals Fund. prey on vulnerabilities and weaknesses of trafficked At the national level, Kazakhstan is addressing persons. Trafficking in human beings is often human trafficking by accelerating the work of exacerbated in situations of conflict and humanitarian its interagency commission, in close interaction crisis and aggravated by factors such as poverty, with non-governmental organizations and relevant unemployment, weak rule of law and poor governance. international organizations as part of the fourth cycle We note with concern that trafficking in persons of its 2015-2017 national plan. in situations of conflict-related sexual violence has At the regional level, we interact in an effective become a war tactic by violent extremist groups. It manner with the Commonwealth of Independent States turns individuals into commodities, dehumanizes them through its 2014-2018 regional programme and with and exacerbates the multiple and protracted harmful the Organization for Security and Cooperation in effects of conflict-related violence on victims. And it Europe (OSCE) as a part of the OSCE Alliance against must be stressed that a consistent mark of this crime is Trafficking in Persons. Kazakhstan has also initiated that most victims are women and girls. the Almaty Process, which serves as a platform for Any intervention, to be effective, must be based nine countries of the region to annually step up their on common and coordinated efforts in the fields of response and enhance cooperation with the Office of prevention, awareness-raising, support, research and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees repression at the international, regional or national and the International Organization for Migration. levels. Bilateral, regional and international cooperation As an incoming non-permanent member of the among countries of origin, transit and destination, as Security Council for 2017-2018, Kazakhstan is pleased well as effective information-sharing, are crucial to

70/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 addressing human trafficking resulting from conflict. and most recently by the Council of Europe’s Group of It is a global issue that demands collective action, not Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. only from national Governments, but also from the In conclusion, trafficking in human beings is one international community, civil-society organizations, media, academia and other stakeholders. of the most heinous crimes against human dignity. Preventing and punishing trafficking in human beings The crime of trafficking in persons is generally is crucial to achieving a future of dignity, freedom for underreported and underrecorded. The overwhelming all and sustainable development, in line with the 2030 majority of victims of trafficking never see justice for Agenda for Sustainable Development and our collective what they have endured, nor receive the assistance efforts aimed at consolidating peace and security. and support they need. We must fight the culture of impunity for those who commit these crimes; those The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the responsible must be brought to justice. To this end, law- floor to the representative of Ireland. enforcement and other officials need to be trained to Mr. Mawe (Ireland): Human trafficking is not identify and protect victims, and traffickers and their always the first thing that comes to mind when we accomplices need to be prosecuted, and justice for think about violent conflicts. Often our news stories victims needs to be secured. and our attention spans are consumed with images Portugal urges all delegations that have not yet of bombings, tanks and refugee camps. But the link done so to accede and ratify the Protocol to Prevent, between trafficking and conflict is a major issue in Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially need of our attention. Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Last December’s presidential statement Crime. The Protocol provides a broad basis for policies S/PRST/2015/25,on trafficking in persons in situations to address the issue and requires countries to take of conflict, was an important achievement. First, it action against the traffickers, protect and assist the reaffirmed that human trafficking must be considered victims and help prevent trafficking. My delegation in the context of threats to international peace and looks forward to the high-level review of the Global security. Secondly, it asserted a role for the Security Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, set to Council in consolidating the international response to take place in 2017. this challenge. In 2007, with the involvement of several sectorial We thank Spain for organizing today’s important ministries, the private sector and civil-society debate and align ourselves with the statement delivered organizations, we in Portugal developed its first by the observer of the European Union. We also join with National Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings. all delegations in expressing solidarity with the victims In 2008, we created the Trafficking in Human Beings of yesterday’s terrorist attacks. In my national capacity, Observatory with the goal of collecting and analysing I will outline four areas of opportunity for a stronger data on trafficking. Our third National Plan against international response to trafficking in conflict. Trafficking in Human Beings, for 2014-2017, is currently being implemented and entails 53 policy measures The first area is the pursuit of accountability for focused around five strategic areas: first, prevention, conflict-related sexual violence. The link between awareness-raising, information and research; secondly, human trafficking and conflict-related sexual violence education and training; thirdly, protection, intervention is irrefutable. We have seen it in horrific cases and capacity-building; fourthly, criminal investigation; involving the trafficking and sexual abuse of women by and fifthly and finally, cooperation. The third National the so-called Islamic State and Boko Haram. There are Plan against Trafficking in Human Beings reflects also less reported cases, including many on the sexual my country’s commitments, in particular within exploitation by illegal traffickers of those who are the framework of the United Nations, the Council of fleeing war zones. In addition to being linked through Europe, the European Union and the Community of causes, or points of origin, there are more invidious Portuguese-speaking Countries. The national efforts links, ones that we can do something about. One link is developed by Portugal in combating trafficking in accountability, or the lack thereof. A clear thread exists human beings have been recognized in several forums, between conflict-related sexual violence and human

16-45113 71/79 S/PV.7847 Maintenance of international peace and securit 20/12/2016 trafficking because impunity for one allows the other of which have developed comprehensive strategies to flourish. on this issue. For example, as Member States work to implement the Palermo Protocols and the New York The Security Council can act as an important Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, they will play accountability mechanism in this respect. At its most a crucial role in comprehensively addressing human simple, let us have incidents of trafficking called out in trafficking. Trafficking is an egregious violation this Chamber where we see them occurring. In addition, of people’s human rights and we are encouraged the Council can serve to bolster other accountability that the United Nations human rights bodies are measures, for example, by supporting Special Representative Bangura, by active deployment of taking an increasingly comprehensive approach to women-protection advisers in peacekeeping missions, human trafficking. by referring cases to the International Criminal Court, Finally, a stronger response needs to place the and by supporting regional and national systems needs of the most vulnerable at its core. Through our of accountability. support to Justice Rapid Response and UN-Women, we The second area is preventing the conditions heard last year harrowing accounts of investigations conducive to human trafficking. We have seen clearly into sexual violence and human trafficking by Boko that war acts as a potent catalyst to human trafficking. Haram. Many victims were too traumatized to speak It breaks down institutional and social protections, and to interviewers about their ordeals. In some cases, it leaves masses of people vulnerable to traffickers. It they were more concerned about shelter, food or their is startlingly obvious, therefore, that greater focus by own personal safety than about the investigation. For the international community on preventing conflicts them, justice meant more than a prison sentence for and stopping their reoccurrence would have a direct their abusers. impact on human trafficking. Prevent the conflict and Uncomfortable though it may be, we need to hear you prevent the trafficking. these accounts. We need the participation of those who We call for increased momentum in putting our words have survived or who are most vulnerable to human about conflict prevention and peacebuilding — which trafficking in conflict, and in crafting our response we are often heard in this Chamber — into practice. need to put them at the centre. This applies in particular We welcome a stronger role for the Peacebuilding to women, but also to young people, including former Commission and regional institutions in informing child combatants. The participation of civil society, the Security Council about human trafficking in academia and the private sector will also be crucial to conflict situations, and we look to the Secretary- stemming flows of human traffic. General-designate to maximize his good offices in We are grateful to Spain for working to ensure that advancing conflict prevention. the Council remains focused on this issue. However, as The third area involves partnerships that extend we have noted, our response must include and extend beyond the Security Council. Trafficking has mobility beyond the Security Council if we are to finally end at its core. It transcends borders and jurisdictions. It human trafficking in conflict. presents far too big a challenge for any one entity to The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the confront. Although the issue of human trafficking in floor to the representative of Saudi Arabia. conflict should indeed be addressed by the Security Council, we will also need to look beyond the Chamber Mr. Al Saad (Saudi Arabia) (spoke in Arabic): At to find a comprehensive solution. The implementation the outset, allow me to extend the condolences of my of the Sustainable Development Goals will be crucial in country to the Russian Federation and Germany for this regard. It will mean a focus not only on target 8.7, the unfortunate incidents that took place recently. We which addresses modern slavery and human trafficking resolutely condemn those terrorist attacks. directly, but also on Goal 5, to ensure women’s I would like to thank the President of the empowerment, and Goal 16 to prioritize the building of Government of the Kingdom of Spain, Mr. Mariano strong and inclusive institutions. Rajoy Brey, for organizing this important open debate. To achieve this, partnerships must be fostered I should also like to extend our thanks and appreciation between the United Nations and regional systems, many for the President’s efforts in ensuring the success of this

72/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 important debate on trafficking in persons in conflict The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has ratified many situations. We appreciate the efforts of the United relevant international instruments, notably the United Nations and its agencies to eradicate this crime by Nations Convention against Transnational Organized enacting relevant laws and regulations and mobilizing Crime and its two Protocols — the Palermo Protocol to international efforts to combat this phenomenon. Our Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, meeting today to discuss this topic is a clear reflection Especially Women and Children, and the Protocol of those efforts. We are hopeful that this debate will against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and help us find solutions to this problem, address its root Air — as well as other International Labour Organization causes and put in place a future plan to ensure its conventions, in particular Conventions No. 182 and No. full eradication. 209. Furthermore, we have ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Our meeting is taking place to discuss a crime Discrimination and the International Convention on that is condemned by the entire world. It is a blatant the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against violation of human rights. Regrettably, the majority Women, as well as the Convention on the Rights of of its victims are women, girls and children. Almost the Child and the Slavery Convention of 1926 and its all countries around the world are affected by this subsequent protocol. phenomenon — whether as countries of origin, transit or destination. Owing to the numerous conflicts around The number of conflicts throughout the world has the world, this crime has been on the rise recently increased, especially in the Middle East. That has led and has taken on various forms. Countries around to a significant rise in crimes related to the trafficking the world and specialized international organizations in persons, especially against displaced Syrians fleeing conflict zones. Unfortunately, human traffickers have have sought to develop their tools and enact laws to exploited the dire need and the desperate humanitarian deter this crime and reduce its social, economic and situation of victims, who are often forced to compromise psychological impact. their dignity and their humanity and who fall prey to At the national level, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia criminals who exploit their bodies for financial gain. has sought to combat trafficking in persons at the In conclusion, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would legislative, organizational and institutional levels, like to stress its firm rejection of all forms of trafficking in addition, to other national efforts and measures to in persons under any pretext. We have stepped up prevent crimes of trafficking in persons, prosecute our national efforts to fully eradicate that crime by and punish its perpetrators, protect its victims and enacting relevant laws and regulations, cooperating enhance international cooperation with countries and tirelessly with the international community to relevant regional and international organizations. A eliminate trafficking in persons, and ratifying relevant law to combat trafficking in persons was promulgated international instruments and conventions. in my country in 2009. That legislation constitutes an important step forward in our efforts to combat these The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the types of crimes. Countries around the world know full floor to the representative of Uganda. well how important it is to enact legal texts that prohibit Mr. Nyago (Uganda): I shall begin by expressing those practices and punish its perpetrators. Uganda’s condolences to the Permanent Missions of My country has also established a standing Russia and Germany for the tragedies that befell their committee for combating trafficking in persons under nationals yesterday. its human rights commission. Its members include Furthermore, I bring warm greetings from His representatives from Government bodies to coordinate Excellency President Museveni of Uganda, who has national efforts to combat trafficking in persons and put sent his apologies for not being able to come and in place plans to address them, as well as put forward participate personally in this important debate due recommendations that ensure that no violations are to other, previously planned duties. He extends his committed against categories targeted by trafficking in greatest appreciation to you, Sir, for the honourable persons. The commission is tasked with following up invitation extended to him to participate in this debate on the implementation of the recommendations. on a topic that is so critical to Uganda.

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My delegation also appreciates the briefings for their enforcement. Such efforts will require the delivered by the Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, strong support of this organ. and other briefers. Given the transnational nature of this crime, it Trafficking in persons in conflict is perhaps one of requires the combined efforts of the international the most challenging evils that the world is currently community to decisively address this problem. As ably confronted with, and the organization of this debate amplified in the concept note provided by the Spanish is very timely in providing an opportunity to Member presidency for this debate (S/2016/1031, annex), States to share insights into how the challenges trafficking in persons in conflict is closely intertwined being encountered in countering this scourge can be with other transnational organized crimes, such as effectively addressed. money-laundering and international terrorism. The financial resources that accrue from human trafficking Uganda happens to be in a region that has enable money-laundering to thrive and in turn largely experienced a lot of conflict, which has exacerbated contribute to funding terrorist activities. And the the problem of human trafficking in our region. The cycle continues. conflicts in our region have made the majority of our people, particularly women and children, vulnerable to It is therefore evident that this requires a holistic organized criminal networks that take advantage of our approach that addresses the interconnectedness of weak institutions in immigration and the judiciary to these vices in our societies. Working together through engage in the trafficking mainly of women, children the Security Council by adopting a resolution with and other vulnerable people across borders to far effective measures that address the vices of human distant places. The conflicts in the Central African trafficking, money-laundering and terrorism in a Republic, the eastern part of the Democratic Republic holistic manner would help to send a strong message of the Congo, Somalia and, more recently, South Sudan to the perpetrators of these crimes and to undermine continue to expose the most vulnerable sections of our and curtail the capabilities of their networks to execute population to the criminal networks that traffic in them these criminal activities. for mainly cheap labour, sexual exploitation and, in In the same vein, the efforts of the international other cases, slavery. community aimed at addressing the root causes A number of reports have recently revealed some of conflict would help to deny these networks the of the most horrific experiences that the children and conducive environment in which they thrive. That is women who have been trafficked go through in some why Uganda continues to play a key role in the region in of the countries where they end up being sold as fighting terrorism in Somalia and the Central African objects. Uganda itself has been a victim of this scourge, Republic, and in engaging with partners to address the whereby some our children, particularly girls and young conflicts in our neighborhood. Uganda continues to be a women, who have been trafficked have endured torture champion of pan-Africanism, with a strategic objective and sexual abuse at the hands of their tormentors. of eliminating conflicts and associated vices in our Our Government recently set up an interministerial region so that we can embark on the road to peace, committee, coordinated by the Ministry of Gender, peaceful transformation and prosperity for our people. Labour and Social Development, to investigate these Uganda associates itself with the efforts of this abuses and to devise appropriate measures that can organ to address the problem of trafficking in persons be undertaken to effectively address the problem. in conflict, and pledges to work together with our This is in addition to various other interventions international partners in supporting measures aimed at that the Government has made in the past to address eradicating it. this challenge. The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the One of the major steps that needs to be undertaken floor to the representative of Rwanda. by Member States, with the support of the international community, is the harmonization of legislation that Ms. Bakurmutsa (Rwanda): At the outset, I comprehensively provides for judicial mechanisms express Rwanda’s deepest sympathies to Russian to harshly punish and deter offenders and would-be Federation for the heinous assassination of Ambassador offenders, and for there to be a coordination mechanism Andrey Karlov.

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Let me thank the Spanish presidency for convening the private sector to support the fight against human this important debate and welcome the purposeful trafficking on all fronts. adoption today of resolution 2331 (2016), which we The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the co-sponsored. floor to the representative of Eritrea. The trafficking in persons in conflict situations is Mr. Giorgio (Eritrea): Allow me at the outset a problem that magnifies the necessity for international to convey my deepest sympathies to the Permanent peace and security in both conflict and post-conflict Mission of the Russian Federation on the assassination situations. Human trafficking is a global security threat of Ambassador Andrey Karlov in Ankara, and to the that directly affects the vulnerability of displaced Permanent Mission of Germany on the tragic attack on people and refugees. It is compounded by conflicts, civil innocent civilians in Berlin. Our thoughts are with the unrest, persecutions and human rights violations. We bereaved families. must not lose sight of its expansive nature and recognize that most countries of destination for trafficked victims My delegation aligns itself with the statement are not enduring conflicts. Therefore, it is important delivered by the Permanent Representative of Bahrain, to combat this crime in the countries of origin, transit who spoke on behalf of the Group of Friends United and destination. The victims, especially children and against Human Trafficking. women are targeted by criminals, many of whom belong My delegation wishes to thank Spain for organizing to transnational organized crime networks, for sexual this open debate of the Security Council on trafficking exploitation, slavery and other forms of exploitation. in persons in conflict situations, in connection with Rwanda has developed national legislative and the agenda item “Maintenance of international peace institutional measures and is taking an active role and security”. Trafficking in persons is a transnational regionally in the East African cooperation framework crime that affects almost every nation, given its negative commissioned to devise mechanisms to prevent human implications for peace and security and its contribution trafficking, protect victims and bring perpetrators to to grave violations of the basic rights and dignity of the justice. This is a laborious undertaking, for Rwanda victims. Therefore, Eritrea views today’s open debate is susceptible to human trafficking by being situated as giving important impetus to the global fight against in a region experiencing sustained armed conflict. the scourge of human trafficking. At the international level, Rwanda is a State party to It is clear that this is limited in its scope. the United Nations Convention against Transnational Nevertheless, we would like to see it as part of national, Organized Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, regional and global efforts to address trafficking in Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially persons. Resolution 2331 (2016), adopted today, decides Women and Children, supplementing the Convention. Rwanda co-sponsored General Assembly resolution “to take decisive and immediate action to 71/19, on Cooperation between the United Nations prevent, criminalize, investigate, prosecute and and INTERPOL. ensure accountability of those who engage in trafficking in persons” (resolution 2331 (2016), Before concluding, I would like to make two para. 2 (b)). final points. This particular paragraph points to the direction of First, we must do more on at the local, regional what Eritrea has been asking of the United Nations for and international levels to combat human trafficking the past few years, since 2013. It is critical, however, by working closely with partners across the spectrum that the investigations carried out be independent to strengthen legislative and punitive measures that and transparent. efficiently target the speed and scope of the network Given the complex and multidimensional nature of traffickers we are up against. The reality before of the crimes of human trafficking, strengthened us is that we cannot afford to stand idle in the face of coordination among the Inter-Agency Coordination human trafficking. Group against Trafficking in Persons, Member States Secondly, and I think most importantly, we and other stakeholders would contribute to the much- encourage all Member States, civil institutions and desired outcome.

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It must be underscored that human trafficking The use of victims of trafficking in combat, sexual has recently become more acute along migration exploitation and forced labour has very much become routes, where vulnerable communities and individuals a hallmark of armed conflict and humanitarian crises. continue to be subjected to sexual violence, degrading The link between sexual violence and trafficking is treatment, organ harvesting, murder and kidnapping plain to see. We have watched with horror how armed for ransom. This highlights the fact that the problem groups use sexual violence, the commercialization of trafficking has further evolved. In this regard, as and the enslavement of girls and women as a tool of the United Nations is about to embark on the review terrorism and a source of financing. Our repudiation of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in of these acts must be unequivocal and compelling and Persons, Eritrea believes that, with the much-improved must be backed up by measures to prevent them and to understanding and experiences gained over the past 10 provide rehabilitation and reintegration to the victims. years, the Global Plan of Action will play a stronger The exponential growth of migratory flows and and more critical role in harnessing collective action to internal displaced people — the figures today are advance the fight against human trafficking. higher than at any other time since the Second World Mindful of the gravity and urgency of the problem, War — has been fuelled by humanitarian crises Eritrea has acceded to the United Nations Convention associated with the worsening of existing conflicts and against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol violent actions by non-State groups. In that respect, as to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, part of the Arria Format meeting organized by Australia Especially Women and Children, supplementing the and Chile in 2014, we identified the need to urgently Convention. Eritrea is also taking concrete steps to promote political solutions to the challenges that contribute to the fight against human trafficking States and the international system face in addressing by establishing a legal and institutional framework, migratory governance and the situation of vulnerable including by dismantling criminal networks. Moreover, groups exposed to trafficking, such as internally it is also actively involved in the Khartoum process displaced persons. This debate is a response to this call. and other projects to address the scourge, including in It is vital to create and raise awareness of this cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs scourge to prevent it, prosecute traffickers, protect the and Crime. victims of trafficking and rehabilitate and reintegrate Recognizing that trafficking in persons is a them, as we said earlier, and finally to eradicate human- transnational criminal enterprise with annual revenues trafficking in conflict situations. amounting to about $150 billion, it is imperative to flesh The Council has the ethical and political out the underlying causes and intertwined dimensions responsibility to firmly support the efforts of the of the problem in order to find effective and durable international community to that end, including solutions to the crime. compliance with the relevant conventions and protocols, The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the as well as with resolutions 2195 (2014) and 2253 (2015), floor to the representative of Chile. which address the relationship between organized crime, including human trafficking, and terrorism. We Ms. Sapag Muñoz de la Peña (Chile) (spoke in are in favour of better coordination and cooperation Spanish): It is a pleasure, Sir, to see you presiding over between national judicial systems and the United this meeting. I would like to convey our condolences Nations system in order to dismantle criminal networks to the Russian Federation. Chile deeply deplores the and bring to justice those who profit from trafficking. events that took place. With respect to specific measures to meet the This complex and diverse transnational aforementioned goals, together with supporting those phenomenon should be addressed from a holistic, measures contained in resolution 2331 (2016), which we coordinated perspective through the system, including co-sponsored today, we propose the following. in the Council and its subsidiary bodies, as it is linked to the central themes of its agenda, such as the First, we must promote exchanges between protection of civilians in armed conflict; women and specialized agencies, peacekeeping operations and peace and security; children and armed conflict; and United Nations peacebuilding stakeholders so as to the financing of terrorism. address the fragmentation that exists in this sphere.

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Secondly, we must address human trafficking those that continue to suffer at the hands of terrorists linked to the exploitation of mineral resources and and extremists. We have witnessed a continuing trend promote effective measures relative to the supply where many terrorist and extremist groups — such as chain, such as the commercial due-diligence guidelines the Taliban, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/ on minerals from conflict zones, where many women, Da’esh and Al-Qaida, among others — increasingly boys and girls are forcibly employed. resort to human trafficking to advance their evil agendas. In our region, as well as in Africa and the Thirdly, we must incorporate the issue of the Middle East, extremist groups have abducted men, trafficking of women and girls in conflict in the agenda women and children as a means to finance and conduct of the Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security, known as the 2242 Group, created by their criminal activities. In many cases, women and Spain, since this is considered to be a challenge in the girls in particular have been put up for sale to mobilize implementation of resolution 1325 (2000). financial resources and fund military operations. Such despicable activities represent the most evil of Fourthly, we must ask the groups of experts of the human actions. sanctions Committees to include human trafficking in their reports to those Committees in order to assist with The inextricable link between human trafficking the work of the Council in the event of the adoption and terrorism remains a serious source of concern of the targeted sanctions included in resolution 2331 that demands urgent attention by the international (2016). community. We believe that addressing some of the underlying factors driving violent extremism should Finally, and fifthly, I ask the Special Representative not be separate from ending the problem of human of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed trafficking. In various conflict situations, especially Conflict and the Special Representative of the Secretary- in our region, a multitude of terrorist and extremist General on Sexual Violence in Conflict to tackle this groups, including the Taliban, its Haqqani Network scourge in their reports to their respective subsidiary and Al-Qaida, still enjoy sanctuary and safe havens, bodies, given, inter alia, that these components can alongside material and financial support, which have constitute an early-warning sign that can help to detect reinforced their operational capability to continue their and prevent future crimes against humanity. reign of terror against innocent people. The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the One of the best ways to address human trafficking floor to the representative of Afghanistan. is to prevent conflict from arising in the first place and Mr. Saikal (Afghanistan): I would like to thank the to resole them wherever they occur. In doing so we will Spanish presidency for convening today’s open debate avoid the enabling environment that fuels the problem on a topic of crucial importance, which demands the of human trafficking. The Security Council should urgent attention of the international community. take necessary measures to identify and address the lingering problem of continued support for extremists Human trafficking constitutes a grave violation of as a means to advance political objectives. More focus international law, including international humanitarian should be placed on ensuring that States comply with law. It violates the fundamental values and principles their counter-terrorism commitments and obligations we hold dear, such as justice, equality and human rights on the basis of the relevant Security Council resolutions. for all. Over the past several years, the world has seen human trafficking continue unabated in different parts As a front-line State in the fight against global of the world, especially in countries stricken by conflict terrorism and extremism, we assure the Council and and facing violent extremism. That has many causes: the international community at large that our struggle to generate illegal profits in the criminal economy; to against those twin menaces will continue unabated, and enlist people in illegal armed groups; and to impose with firm resolve. As we speak, our national security forced labour and slavery upon the innocent and have forces are engaging a multitude of international them carry out terrorist attacks in different parts of extremist groups that pose a serious threat to the the world. civilized world. Human trafficking is particularly prevalent in The United Nations Global Plan of Action to countries stricken by conflict and strife, especially Prevent Trafficking in Persons and the United Nations

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Convention against Transnational Organized Crime The President (spoke in Spanish): I now give the and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish floor to the representative of Côte d’Ivoire. Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Mr. Gone (Côte d’Ivoire) (spoke in French): Children, remain the overall international framework First and foremost, allow me begin by conveying the for decisive action to combat human trafficking in all deepest condolences of the Ivorian Government to the its aspects. Afghanistan is a party to the Convention Governments and the peoples of Germany and Russia and has put in place several pieces of legislation to for the terrorist attack in Berlin and the assassination of criminalize various forms of human trafficking. In Ambassador Andrey Karlov, respectively. addition, we are grateful to the United States Agency for International Development for its project on I would like to congratulate the Spanish presidency combating human trafficking in Afghanistan, which on convening this high-level open debate on the is co-funded by the International Organization for important issue of trafficking in human beings in Migration. The project works with our Government to times of conflict. Allow me also to extend my thanks effectively prevent trafficking, prosecute traffickers, to the Executive Director of the United Nations protect victims and improve regional coordination to Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and to the combat cross-border trafficking. Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict for their contributions to The problem of human trafficking is wide-ranging today’s debate. and has various components. The unprecedented flow of migrants and refugees, mainly from countries facing The news today, as well as the poignant testimonies conflict, has left millions of people vulnerable to human we heard this morning, reveal the extent to which trafficking throughout the world. In that context, we trafficking in persons in times of conflict, owing to its are pleased that the joint declaration adopted at the magnitude, crimes and irreparable trauma it causes, conclusion of the summit meeting on migration here in constitutes a genuine denial of human rights, and must New York in September placed due focus on preventing as such serve to mobilize the attention of the entire human trafficking. international community. Today’s meeting of the Security Council highlights Resolution 2331 (2016), which the members of the fact that the trafficking of persons constitutes the Security Council adopted today, is a particularly a crime against humanity and that any individual relevant instrument to combat this scourge, while it also or groups involved in that heinous practice must be serves to bolster existing initiatives such as Secretary- brought to justice. We hope this meeting will also serve General Ban Ki-moon’s zero-tolerance policy. as a reminder for all that additional progress is required In addition to the efforts of the the Security Council, to implement their commitments and obligations, not the international commitment against trafficking only as matter of legal responsibility but also as a in human beings in times of conflict must also be moral imperative. translated into vigorous regional and national initiatives Finally, we concur with previous speakers that the based on existing multilateral legal frameworks. Since problem of human trafficking in conflict situations 2002, the Economic Community of West African States should not be seen in isolation from the global fight (ECOWAS), to which my country belongs and which against terrorism. Hence, it is imperative that States is affected by this phenomenon, has regularly adopted spare no effort whatsoever to implement the relevant several action plans, the latest of which covers the counter-terrorism resolutions of the security Council period 2016-2020. Those plans propose, inter alia, the and of the General Assembly. In that context, the adoption of national legislation penalizing trafficking relevant States must prevent the cross-border movement in persons, measures to protect and assist victims and of terrorists and cut off the flow of financial resources public awareness campaigns. It should be emphasized and other enablers that have thus far sustained extremist that the strategic and operational support of UNODC activity. We hope the outcome of today’s meeting to ECOWAS has made a significant contribution to the will revitalize the global fight against a menace that prevention and suppression of trafficking in persons in constitutes a crime against humanity and a challenge West Africa. This is an opportunity for my delegation confronting us all. to thank the United Nations for its multifaceted support

78/79 16-45113 20/12/2016 Maintenance of international peace and securit S/PV.7847 through UNODC in the implementation of the ECOWAS for young people and the shortcomings of judicial and Plan of Action against Trafficking in Persons. police institutions. Such deficits call for greater and more vigorous action on the part of the United Nations In line with that regional strategy, on 25 October to support the improved coordination of national 2012 Côte d’Ivoire ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and regional strategies and the strengthening of the and endorsed the Additional Protocol to Prevent, human and operational capacities of judicial and police Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons. It also institutions. It is also important to support the affected adopted Law 2010-272 on the prohibition of trafficking States in the creation of databases to better identify in persons and the worst forms of child labour and the the phenomenon of trafficking in persons, on the one September Law on combating trafficking in persons. hand, and on the other to develop appropriate strategies The Ivorian Government also believes that the fight for dismantling the criminal networks involved and against trafficking in persons in times of conflict and improving the assistance given to victims. in times of peace must be a holistic one. To that end, my In closing, I would like to state that accountability country has set up a national multisectoral committee to must be the international community’s best response combat human trafficking and has drawn up a national to grave human rights violations in order to prevent strategy, accompanied by a five-year national action future abuses. plan for the period 2016-2020. The President (spoke in Spanish): There are no more Although the correlation between epicentres of speakers inscribed on the list. I thank representatives conflict and the surge in trafficking in persons appears for their support and, in particular, for the kind words to be undeniable, it is important to bear in mind the to the presidency of the Council. economic and social dynamics that fuel this scourge, including poverty, unemployment, the lack of prospects The meeting rose at 5.45 p.m.

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